AAP

US stocks have scored solid gains, lifted by positive data on home prices that offset another decline in consumer confidence.

Small business sales increased in May, but retail continued to suffer the weakest growth of all sectors, new research shows.

An imminent ruling by Fair Work Australia will determine whether Qantas employees have a right to secure employment, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) says.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors fear that the European debt crisis may worsen unless European leaders take decisive action at a summit later this week.

Queensland-focused minerals explorer Ivanhoe Australia will cut 50 jobs as its new owner Rio Tinto seeks to cut costs in the company.

The number of online orders to Australian businesses increased by almost a third during the 2010-2011 financial year, speaking volumes on the growing importance of internet sales.

Labor and coalition MPs will be hitting shopping centres and doorknocking homes this weekend when the carbon tax takes effect.

Gina Rinehart, Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer have increased their number of Ten Network shares by investing millions of dollars in the media company's recent fund raising venture.

Retailers hoping that two consecutive months of interest rate cuts will prompt consumers to lift their spending habits may be disappointed.

The Australian share market has opened a quarter of a per cent lower despite steep falls on overseas markets as the debt crisis in Europe drags on.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart says her company Hancock Prospecting may sell its interest in Fairfax Media if "suitable conditions" aren't offered to it.

The Australian dollar has returned above the 100 US dollar mark, but is trending downwards ahead of a crucial European summit.

US stocks tumbled Monday as Europe's leaders appeared still-divided on how they will address their crisis in the coming crunch summit for the eurozone.

The Australian dollar is lower and could fall below parity with its US counterpart when Spain formally requests a bailout package from the euro zone.

Struggling surfwear retailer Billabong International is expected to fend off more takeover bids after its share price dived to its lowest level on record.

The Australian share market closed lower as investors expect a summit of European Union leaders this week to achieve little in solving the euro zone's ongoing problems.

Perpetual has flagged a massive profit slide and pay cuts for its board as it begins a major restructure that involves the loss of hundreds of jobs.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australians can be proud of their economy which continues to grow and add jobs.

Billionaire Kerry Stokes' positioning for a possible bid for Consolidated Media Holdings was most likely serious but unlikely to succeed, analysts say.

Three of the nation's leading editors have quit as Fairfax Media continues the radical overhaul of its news business.

Australian stocks have opened lower, led by falls in the resources-related sectors as market players looked past a positive lead from offshore markets.

Wet weather has contributed to a reduction in Australian gold production at the start of 2012, a report says.

The biggest office relocation in Western Australia's history is under way, with about 3,000 BHP Billiton workers moving into Perth's newest building.

Governments, banks and households struggling with too much debt are dragging down the world's economy and more needs to be done to make the banking system safer, a global organisation of central ba

Any chance of US markets enjoying a rally last week were torpedoed by warnings about weaker US growth and a sweeping indictment of the world's largest banks.

The Australian dollar is more than one US cent lower on weak manufacturing figures from China, and continued economic uncertainty in the eurozone.

Australian shares finished almost one per cent lower due to widespread concerns about global growth.

Westpac Bank has made contingency plans in case wholesale funding markets dry up due to global jitters.

The families of some of the Sundance Resources directors who were killed in a plane crash en route to the company's West African iron ore project have launched legal proceedings against the firm.

Scaffolding workers on the Perth Arena project have downed tools for the second time in three weeks, this time over non-payment of superannuation contributions.

Qantas won't go under if rival Etihad expands into the local market but tough choices have to be made about the Australian airline's future, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey says.

Woodside Petroleum has let lapse a supply agreement for its Browse project worth up to $45 billion.