AAP

Australian shares have opened flat after mixed overseas leads, with mining stocks expected to drag the market down during the day.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher ahead of a speech by US Federal Reserve chairman Dr Ben Bernanke.

Stock markets have had a mixed day as the Dow Jones industrials finished in positive territory while other leading indices closed in the red.

Troubled surfwear retailer Billabong has received an alternative takeover offer from a consortium comprising US private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners and retailer VF Corporation.

The Australian market closed higher after a day of consolidation with gains across most of the board, despite light trading.

Job advertisements fell to their lowest levels for three years in December as firms held back on employing new staff amid difficult times.

The federal opposition says the government should come clean with the public on how much the mining tax has raised to date, then immediately move to scrap it.

Iron ore explorer Flinders Mines has received environmental approvals for its proposed mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Altona Mining has to go it alone or find a new partner to develop its Queensland copper project after global miner Xstrata changed its mind and decided not to buy a majority stake in the project.

The Australian market was just higher mid-morning on cautious trading following mixed leads from Wall Street.

Consumer prices are rising in line with the Reserve Bank of Australia's target for inflation, a report says.

Employees at steelmaker BlueScope's Western Port facility have started the working year to news of major job cuts.

Delivering a budget surplus is certainly possible, a federal Labor MP says.

The Australian market has opened higher despite mixed leads from Wall Street.

US stocks closed in mixed territory on Friday as tepid earnings from Wells Fargo kept markets restrained.

BHP blasts PNG over ban – The Fin; Mining tax take stuck at zero – The Aus; Barnett stretches pre-poll margin – The Aus; LNG exports at risks as US stakes claim – The Aus; Iron ore price a $1.3 billion fillip for Barnett – The Fin

The Australian dollar has fallen after disappointing US trade figures weakened global market sentiment on Friday.

Japan's new government has unveiled a massive .5 billion ( billion) stimulus plan in the latest bid to boost the world's number three economy, with plans to rebuild disaster-hit areas and beef up t

The Australian share market closed lower amid profit taking on Friday and mixed messages about economic data out of Asia.

Australian homeowners can look forward to three more interest rate cuts in 2013, one of the country's biggest banks says.

Shares in Base Resources have soared after the mineral sands miner convinced the Kenyan government not to enforce new nationalist laws on it requiring local ownership.

The pace of construction on the government's $37.4 billion broadband network will continue to ramp up after exceeding its 2012 year-end rollout target, the federal government says.

The Australian market was down at noon as investors wait for the release of Chinese trade data.

Australia is ranked the third most free economy in the world despite its score falling slightly in the past year, a new report says.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle has been upgraded to a category four as it continues to move closer to the coast of northern Western Australia.

The Australian market opened higher after better than expected Chinese trade data led to strong gains on Wall Street.

US stocks have closed higher after stronger-than-expected Chinese trade data boosted growth hopes for the world's second-biggest economy.

The Australian dollar is close to 106 US cents after touching a near four-month high in offshore trading on the back of a stronger gold price, a rally on equity markets and positive comments from t

The Australian dollar has jumped to its highest level in more than two weeks following a stronger-than-expected rise in Chinese exports and imports.

Industry fund First Super will be selling its News Corp shares after a global push to end Rupert Murdoch's dual role as chairman and chief executive failed.

The Australian share market closed higher, following an afternoon run on the back of economic data from China showing that exports rose by 14.1 per cent.

China's trade growth rebounded strongly in December in a positive sign for the recovery of the world's second-largest economy.