AAP

The Australian share market has opened higher as investors await the outcome of talks over Cyprus's debt bailout.

Leighton Holdings has appointed Bob Humphris as the construction giant's new chairman.

The talk on Wall Street shifted last week from the pursuit of record highs to the future of the eurozone after the Cyprus banking crisis took centre stage.

Australian shares closed slightly higher after solid gains for the major banks offset weak overseas leads.

Loss-making Whitehaven Coal is laying off 40 workers in NSW as it cuts costs to deal with lower coal prices.

The latest leadership spill in Canberra will detract from already low business confidence, the Business Council of Australia says.

Former premier-turned lobbyist Brian Burke has appeared in court again, to face four charges related to insider trading.

Apple has blamed global music labels and movie studios for making it more expensive for Australians to download music, television shows and movies than people in the US.

Billabong shares have staged a partial recovery after the troubled retailer reassured investors it was still in takeover talks with two potential suitors.

Household electricity price rises are expected to moderate over the next two years to mid-2015.

The Australian market has opened lower as the European Central Bank sets a deadline for its Cyprus bailout.

US stocks have closed lower on uncertainty over the Cyprus banking crisis and some surprisingly weak corporate earnings.

The Australian dollar has risen to a six-week high following the release of strong economic data from China.

Federal Labor's political infighting is a continuing embarrassment to the nation, according to Premier Colin Barnett.

Media companies have welcomed the collapse of the federal government's controversial package of reforms to ownership and regulation in the industry.

The risk of possible tax increases is weighing on business sentiment in the run-up to the May budget, along with a high Australian dollar and difficult circumstances in overseas markets.

The builder of the $37.4 billion broadband network is blaming a lack of workers for missing a mid year target.

The Australian share market has closed lower after being buffeted by speculation over the Labor leadership.

Australian businesses are struggling to recruit staff with adequate maths, science, technology and engineering skills, which is stifling productivity and competitiveness, a new industry report says

Billabong shares have been placed in a trading halt while the retailer investigates why its shares have plummeted by more than 20 per cent.

Trading hours at pubs and clubs should be reduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, a major national study has concluded.

Premier Investments, the retailer behind brands including Just Jeans and Portmans, has brushed off the retail gloom and lifted its first half profit by 21 per cent.

Commonwealth Bank is free to seize control of independent mortgage provider Aussie Home Loans after the competition watchdog gave its blessing to the deal.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big retail banks and major energy companies leading the broader market higher.

Building materials group Brickworks has vowed not to waste any more time reviewing its long-standing cross-shareholding with investment vehicle Washington H Soul Pattinson.

US stocks have recorded solid gains as the Federal Reserve held steady on its policy of economic stimulus.

Emerging miners Atlas Iron and BC Iron remain confident that Chinese demand and longer-term prices for the commodity will remain buoyant, despite recent pessimism.

The boss of Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mining project is confident it will begin shipping iron ore in 2015 despite ongoing challenges with securing funding.

Australian stocks have tumbled for a third straight day, led by hefty falls from the major miners in response to a bleak outlook for iron ore prices.

The peak farmers' body is stepping up pressure on the federal government to stop major supermarkets abusing their market power.

A hot and dry summer has hurt the rural services operations of agribusiness Elders.

Consumers are getting more confident, with spending in February rising for the second month in a row.