AAP

US financial markets have re-opened after a historic two-day closure forced by superstorm Sandy, with the interruption having little impact on share prices themselves.

The Australian Greens have attacked Labor for sending mixed messages about the renewable energy target after chief whip Joel Fitzgibbon suggested it should be reduced.

The Australian dollar is higher, as traders focused on next week's central bank board meeting and the decreasing expectations that there will be an interest rate cut.

Fireworks are expected at Whitehaven Coal's annual general meeting tomorrow in Sydney after majority shareholder Nathan Tinkler said he would vote against all resolutions.

 People caught harming or smuggling critically endangered species could face fines of up to $500,000 under new laws being suggested by the state government.

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett says the Eagles won't push for a stand-alone reserves side if their new alignment with WAFL club East Perth works.

JB Hi-Fi says trading conditions remain challenging but it remains confident that it can grow market share during fiscal 2013.

The Australian share market closed higher after gains across most sectors despite low volumes of trading.

Rupert Murdoch's News Limited will double its stake in Foxtel within a fortnight after Consolidated Media shareholders approved a $1.94 billion takeover deal today.

The Australian Greens will support moves by the federal government to abolish Wheat Exports Australia and fully deregulate the export grain market.

Macmahon Holdings is in line for its largest ever contract, after being named preferred contractor for a $1.8 billion contract with Fortescue Metals Group.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has failed in a bid to dismiss the NSW Supreme Court proceedings her three eldest children have taken against her.

Telstra chief executive David Thodey says strategic decisions the company makes in the next two years will determine its future in a dramatically changed telecommunications market.

Billionaire businessman James Packer has dismissed ongoing speculation he could buy back into the Nine Network, which recently escaped going into administration.

A consortium seeking to take over steelmaker Arrium has walked away from the proposal, after Arrium said an increased offer from the consortium was still too low and carried with it too many risks.

The Australian market opened higher following surging European markets and higher commodity prices.

National Australia Bank's full year net profit dropped 22 per cent to $4.08 billion due to millions of dollars in costs from its troubled operations in the United Kingdom.

European stock markets and the euro have rebounded as investors cheer positive company earnings and react to news of thousands of job cuts at Swiss bank UBS, despite a lull in trading caused by the

Shares in mining contractor Macmahon Holdings have been placed in a trading halt as the company prepares to announce the awarding of a new contract.

The Australian market finished slightly higher as the closure of Wall Street due to superstorm Sandy led to subdued local trading.

An appeal by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting over the big Rhodes Ridge iron-ore project in Western Australia has been dismissed but the company has indicated it will contest certain court order

Premier Colin Barnett was not amused by the gift of a train shaped cake from union officials to welcome him to his refurbished $26 million offices in Perth.

The threat of Asian geckos hitchhiking on ships bound for the $43 billion Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island has prompted scientists to develop an early warning system that sends a text if th

Foreign Minister Bob Carr says it may take some time to resolve the case of an Australian lawyer prevented from leaving Mongolia.

Further environmental protection conditions will be imposed on Woodside Petroleum's proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub following an investigation into appeals against a report supporting the pr

BHP Billiton expects its Queensland coking coal production capacity to grow by 50 per cent by the end of 2014.

Casino operator Crown wants to make Perth a major gateway for mass-market Chinese gamblers following the success of casino hotspot Singapore.

The state government has defended its selection of a South Korean associated company to build an artificial reef at Geographe Bay in the state's south.

Treasurer Wayne Swan expects a change of leadership in China will bring both new challenges and opportunities over the next six months.

Commonwealth Bank chairman David Turner says the bank expects demand for credit to remain subdued this financial year amid economic uncertainty around the world.

Virgin Australia has made a $98.7 million takeover offer for regional carrier Skywest.

The Australian market has opened marginally higher amid quiet trading with Wall Street closed because of Hurricane Sandy.