AAP

US stocks finished solidly higher on Tuesday, with gains in Apple, Google and Intel boosting the tech-rich Nasdaq.

Australians are increasingly using their mobile devices to shop in the lead up to Christmas, PayPal data shows.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, despite a survey showing weak business confidence, and ahead of a meeting of the US central bank.

The Australian market closed at its highest level for 2012, with stronger commodity prices led to gains for the mining giants.

Australian firms are heading into Christmas on a pessimistic note, with business confidence slumping to its lowest point since the global financial crisis.

Local wine makers must stop whining about the high Australian dollar and back themselves to win their share of global sales, says producer Australian Vintage.

Keeping inflation in check is important to maintain steady economic growth, but it is not enough, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says.

A lack of uncommitted available reserves coupled with the demand for Australia's liquefied natural gas could create challenges for domestic gas supplies by 2016.

A local council in the Pilbara wants to import foreign workers for smaller businesses in the retail, hospitality and other sectors that are struggling to keep local employees.

Transfield Services has won several new contracts worth $140 million, including work on two major energy projects.

Treasurer Troy Buswell wants to prevent his former lover and independent MP Adele Carles from making any more damning accusations, as the political fallout from their private affair continues.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the major miners leading the broader market on track to close at a fresh high for calendar 2012.

Small business confidence may have reached a turning point after some difficult times in the past couple of years.

US stocks ended slightly higher on Monday amid hopes that a political deal over the looming fiscal cliff was in the works.

Investors who jump into the sharemarket in December might just get an early christmas present - if history is any guide.

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will be investigated by a new government body as it looks for a link between road safety and the pay and conditions of the nation's truck drivers.

The Australian dollar is unchanged after weak Chinese trade data reduced earlier gains made on strong US job numbers.

The federal government has hit out at a senior Liberal MP for suggesting the global financial crisis would not have had a budget impact under a coalition government, describing the remarks as "delu

Australian households won't see instant cuts in their power bills if the federal Labor government's carbon tax is abolished, energy retailers say.

The Australian stock market has closed marginally higher as upbeat Chinese data helped to sustain the momentum of the market.

Investors have given Ten Network Holdings's latest capital raising a thumbs down amid doubts about the struggling broadcaster's ability to reverse its flagging fortunes.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings is poised for a capital raising as it battles to reverse a drop in earnings and tries to cut costs.

Property company GPT Group has made a bid for Australand's commercial and industrial and investment property portfolio.

Woodside Petroleum has reached another joint venture agreement to expand its exploration interests in Myanmar (Burma).

Weaker-than-expected housing loan figures suggest the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to cut the cash rate further in 2013.

The Australian market has opened flat as trading volumes start to thin out heading into the festive season.

Shopping centre owner Centro Retail Australia is changing its name just 12 months after a massive company overhaul that kept the once debt-laden company afloat.

The coalition could lose a swag of marginal seats at next year's federal election as new electoral laws automatically enrol up to 1.5 million voters.

A surprise slide in the US unemployment rate to 7.7 per cent for November gave markets an initial boost on Friday, but shares ended the session mixed.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has struck a deal with the state and territory leaders on a plan she says could save households $250 a year on their power bills.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, enjoying support following a busy week of economic data releases, most of which were quite good.