AAP

A decision on Holden's long-term future in Australia should be revealed "soon", South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says.

The Australian share market closed lower, partly pulled back by market giant BHP Billiton, which paid its interim dividend; the big banks, three of which had a ratings downgrade on Friday; and some

Treasurer Wayne Swan says G20 nations have put jobs at the forefront of efforts to secure global economic stability.

Kevin Rudd has congratulated Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her strong win in a caucus leadership ballot and says he bears no grudges.

Business wants the federal Labor leadership ballot to be the catalyst for a more focused Gillard government and renewed commitment to a more competitive and productive economy.

National non-bank lender Homeloans Ltd will continue eyeing acquisition opportunities and cutting costs to protect earnings after reporting a 13 per cent drop in first half profit.

Australian stocks have opened slightly lower as mining giant BHP Billiton paid its first half dividend.

The Australian dollar has fallen from previous highs, as global oil prices reached a 10-month high.

The eurozone will have to put in place a bigger financial firewall to combat the crisis before other countries will pour more cash into the IMF, the G20 top and developing economies say.

 Three of Australia's big four banks have had their prized AA credit ratings downgraded by one notch because of their partial reliance on wholesale funding markets.

Shares in Newcrest Mining fell after Australia's largest gold producer flagged a fall in March quarter output but tentatively maintained its full year guidance.

Woolworths aims to chalk up $1 billion in online sales within two years as it works to ensure all of its businesses are trading on the web by the end of 2015.

The Australian share market ended the week on a high note after a positive lead from Wall Street, with financial and mining stocks driving gains.

The Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) joint venture says its customer service and performance levels have improved and further progress is on schedule, after the problems that plagued the telco la

South America-focused gold and silver producer Troy Resources has posted a jump in first half net profit after a production ramp up at its new Casposo operation in Argentina and strong performance

 Higher VIP gambler revenue and improved returns from its Macau joint venture have helped casino operator Crown increase its first half profit by 79 per cent.

Australian stocks have opened flat on the back of a mixed offshore lead.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says interest rates are about where they should be, even after retail banks independently lifted their lending rates this month.

GE Oil and Gas has won a contract worth more than $150 million to supply subsea equipment for Apache Energy's Julimar gas project offshore from Dampier.

The Australian dollar has risen after the release of some encouraging economic data from Germany and the US.

US stocks have closed broadly higher, helped by solid gains from Procter & Gamble over its cost-cutting plan and blue-chip stalwart IBM.

While Mix 94.5 continues to dominate the Perth market, increasing its audience for the first radio ratings in 2012, 96fm's 2.4 percentage point boost has leapfrogged the station from sixt

Millions of Australians were left disconnected and disgruntled as Telstra's internet service crashed earlier today.

Loyal David Jones customers are spending more than they did before the financial crisis, but the department store chain is reluctant to call the bottom of the market just yet.

The Australian dollar is lower as concerns grow around the Greek bailout and growth in Europe.

Premier Colin Barnett says Prime Minister Julia Gillard will need to defeat Kevin Rudd by a "large majority" if she is to retain the leadership and confidence of her party and the public.

The state government has halted all prescribed burns near populated areas and will establish an Office of Bushfire Risk Management in the wake of the Keelty Report into the Margaret River bush

Virgin Australia Holdings says the chase for more business customers is progressing ahead of schedule and has delivered a hefty improvement in first half net profit.

The Australian share market followed negative offshore leads to edge lower after disappointing economic data from debt-riddled Europe.

BHP Billiton is the latest Australian company to flag possible job cuts because of the strength of the Australian dollar.