AAP

The takeover battle for Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF) has stepped up with pipeline operator APA Group increasing its offer.

Australian shares opened slightly higher as the resources sector posts gains after Rio Tinto predicted China would have a quick recovery in its pace of growth.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is expecting moderate earnings growth in its 2013 financial year after suffering a 55 per cent slide in profit during 2012.

Telstra has increased its full year profit to $3.4 billion and forecasts further growth in the year ahead as it attracts new mobile phone and broadband customers.

Australian exporters are optimistic about business conditions, with a new survey showing more than half expect to increase export orders this year.

The Australian dollar has nudged higher after a quiet night as traders await the release of key Chinese and Australian economic data.

A three-day US stocks rally has petered out after mixed company news and disappointing European economic data renewed concerns about economic growth.

Struggling department store operator Myer has appointed Paul McClintock as a non-executive director and chairman-elect, after current chairman Howard McDonald decided to stand down.

Workplace bullying will probably increase as economic conditions worsen, putting companies and staff under intense pressure, a federal inquiry has heard.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower ahead of key jobs data.At 1700 AEST, the local unit was trading at 105.45 US cents, down from 105.76 cents yesterday.

Australian shares continued to rally at three-month highs, with broad-based gains from the financial, energy and mining sectors.

The corporate plan for the federal government's national broadband network project is on more solid ground that it was 20 months ago, NBN Co says.

The value of commercial property in Australia has dropped to new lows and there is no sign of a reprieve for the industrial and retail sub sectors.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the airline is taking its time to form an alliance with a major overseas carrier.

The number on the front of the monthly housing finance report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says it all: zero.

Fortescue Metals Group says the construction and ramp up of its Solomon mines will be critical to achieving the company's ambitious iron ore production targets next year.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has stolen words out of the Queensland Premier's mouth and then blamed him for electricity price hikes, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Engineering firm UGL has secured a contract worth almost $100 million to carry out work at BHP Billiton's Jimblebar mine in the Pilbara.

A senior Treasury official says Australia's banking system is going through a transition period in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

Skilled overseas workers on 457 visas are not taking away resources sector jobs from Australians, a university study has found.

The nation's largest cattle producer Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) has narrowed its financial losses and flagged an improvement in cattle prices.

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.