AAP

The Australian dollar is a third of a US cent lower as rising expectations of an interest rate cut in November put pressure on the currency.

Australian stocks have closed more than half a per cent lower, with the resources sector worst hit on a day of broad-based declines.

Winemaker Treasury Wines Estates says price increases, the release of more luxury wines and more promotional activities will help lift earnings in the second half of the financial year.

Businesses in the state's northwest have been reminded to make sure contingency plans are in place to protect workers during the cyclone season.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is introducing industry-wide reporting standards for mortgage-backed securities to boost investor confidence in the market. 

The federal government has cut by a third the revenue it expects to receive from its controversial mining tax.

Australian small businesses that sell their goods and services online were 33 per cent more likely to have increased their profits in 2011/12, according to a report from American Express.

Rio Tinto says it has attracted strong interest from Asian and European buyers at its annual pink diamond sale.

The federal government is relying on optimistic economic growth forecasts to return the budget to surplus, a leading economist says.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, as a disappointing finish on Wall Street over the weekend prompted widespread selling at the start of the local trading week.

Shares in Sundance Resources have risen by almost six per cent after China's Hanlong Mining locked in deals securing loans to help it finance its $1.37 billion takeover of the iron ore company.

Western Australia is still the nation's economic powerhouse but a slowdown in the mining sector could lead to weaker spending and a softer jobs market.

US markets sank on Friday, with the Nasdaq pulled down more than two per cent by a tech stock rout led by Apple and Microsoft as a raft of disappointing earnings and trimmed forecasts spooked inves

The Australian dollar is lower as traders took profits after a five-day rally led to a four-week high.

Reports of a colossal gold nugget being found during illegal prospecting near Kalgoorlie appear to be a hoax.

The Australian share market closed slightly stronger at a fresh 15-month high, ahead of a summit of EU leaders this weekend.

Of all the numbers subject to change in the next mid-year federal budget review, it seems pretty safe to say the predicted $1.5 billion surplus for this financial year will remain largely intact.

Consumer sentiment is showing some "green shoots", says Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder.

Oil and gas company Santos has begun production at Australia's first commercial shale gas well in the Cooper Basin.

Takeover target Northern Iron has extended the deadline for final binding offers until November 20 to allow interested companies to complete their due diligence.

Woodside Petroleum has struck an agreement with Daewoo International Corporation for a production sharing contract in Burma.

Shares in Australian grains trader and maltster GrainCorp have been placed in a trading halt after a potential suitor requested talks with GrainCorp.

National Australia Bank has raised its provisions to deal with the impact of an economic downturn by $250 million, a move that will negatively impact its full year earnings.

Australian stocks have opened lower, dropping from near 15-month highs amid weakness in the resources and financial sectors.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, as it retreats from a two-week high reached following positive Chinese data.

Google's shares have plunged after a surprise drop in earnings in a prematurely released quarterly report, but while the Nasdaq sank the Dow avoided being pulled down as well.

The Western Australian Farmers Federation has reiterated its support for the proposed winding up of the wheat industry's regulatory body after a similar organisation asked it to reconsider.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd says he "hopes" the revamped mining profits tax reaps enough to meet budget forecasts.

The Australian dollar hit an almost three-week high after traders breathed a sigh of relief over China's latest economic growth figures.

Australian stocks have closed at near 15-month highs after gaining one per cent on good news from home and abroad.

Bank of Queensland's new management is confident an overhaul of its lending practices will prevent a repeat of its $17 million full year loss - the first posted by a local bank in two decades.

The Gillard government has used a draft report into electricity supplies to renew its argument that the carbon tax isn't responsible for the bulk of price hikes.