AAP

Australian shares opened slightly higher following gains on Wall Street and Europe.

Property developer Stockland says the market for housing is at its weakest level in 20 years because consumers lack confidence.

The Australian dollar is lower as traders take profits after the currency reached a five-month high on the back of yesterday's central bank interest rate decision.

US stocks have rallied for a third straight day, buoyed by hopes for more stimulus from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank to boost weak economies.

The Australian dollar closed slightly higher, after peaking just above 106 US cents, following after the central bank's decision to keep interest rates on hold.

Australian shares closed at a three-month high on the back of improved investor sentiment towards the resources sector.

Industrial equipment maker Bradken is heading into the new financial year with a record order book and plans to grow capacity.

A mortgage broker believes the Olympic Games has probably done more to boost consumer confidence than central bank interest rate decisions.

Traditional owners in favour of Woodside Petroleum's Browse gas hub say a $1.5 billion compensation deal will save lives and that they don't want former Greens leader Bob Brown speaking for them.

Gold miner Kingsgate Consolidated says it will take six months to turn around its underperforming Challenger gold mine.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate on hold at 3.5 per cent for the second meeting in a row, as expected.

The head of takeover target Integra Mining says a multi-million dollar deal with WA gold miner Silver Lake Resources should be finalised by the end of the year.

Australian shares opened stronger, buoyed by overnight leads and hopes the European Central Bank will take action soon to relieve the euro zone debt crisis.

Construction activity fell for a 26th consecutive month because of poor demand for work and subdued workloads.

Global construction company Leighton Holdings has announced a net profit after tax of $115 million for the six months to June 2012 and still expects it to reach $400 million to $450 million for the

Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart has taken her fight for Fairfax to the struggling media empire's retail shareholders.

US stocks scored moderate gains Monday, extending Friday's sharp rally on hopes that the European Central Bank may soon take action to relieve the eurozone sovereign debt crisis.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent higher, following optimistic job figures from the US.At 1700 AEST, the local unit was trading at 105.60 US cents, up from 104.95 cents.

Australian business confidence has posted a turnaround, with expectations reaching levels not seen for 10 years, according to a private study.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the federal government is waging a "jihad" against outspoken mining magnates and is trying to muzzle its critics in the media.

The Australian share market started the week strongly, closing up by more than one per cent on robust overseas leads, following better than expected US jobs data.

Ultra Tune Australia has been fined more than $8,500 for underpaying a Filipino mechanic in Perth.

Traditional owners will meet former Greens leader Bob Brown in a bid to sway opposition to Woodside Petroleum's proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub.

Investment firm Argo Investments says global equity markets are unlikely to show any meaningful recovery in the short term but, in the long term, the Australian market represented relatively good v

Harvey Norman boss Gerry Harvey has blamed slashing prices on televisions and computers for an expected 40 per cent drop in full year profit.

Interest rate cuts in recent months have failed to lift sentiment in the business sector, with a new survey showing conditions went backwards in the second quarter.

Job advertisements have recorded a fourth consecutive month of falls, as the Australian job market appears to be softening.

Fortescue Metals has taken on higher than expected debt to fund its massive iron ore expansion plans, announcing $US1.5 billion ($A1.4 billion) in new funding.

Consumer prices rose only slightly in July, despite the start of the carbon tax at the beginning of the month.

The Australian share market has opened higher on renewed hopes that the US Federal Reserve would announce stimulus measures at its next meeting.

The Australian dollar has risen three-quarters of a US cent with better than expected jobs figures giving investors reason to be optimistic about the US economy and Spain agreeing to austerity meas