AAP

St George Bank has lifted its home loan interest rates by more than the big four banks, as the number of lenders lifting rates grows.

South African miner Exxaro Resources has taken a majority share of Perth-based iron ore explorer African Iron after last-minute acceptances of its $300 million offer.

Australian stocks opened stronger this morning, buoyed by good results from The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation's largest lender.

Oz Minerals has suffered a dramatic fall in full-year net profit to $274.5 million, but says demand for copper remains strong.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (CBA) first-half cash profit has grown by seven per cent to $3.57 billion and the company has no plans for major job cuts.

US stocks were weighed down by unravelling debt talks in Europe and didn't get any help from a disappointing result on retail sales. The three major stock indexes were lower all day.

The Australian dollar is half a US cent lower as traders look for reasons to buy the currency after its recent rally ran out of steam.

Labor has accused coalition MPs of double standards by talking up the impact of the carbon and mining profits tax on the economy while personally investing in mining companies.

Moody's downgrades of debt ratings of Italy, Spain and Portugal and, locally, softer commodity prices dragged the Australian share market almost one per cent lower.

The Reserve Bank of Australia seems to think the Australian dollar is defying gravity.

Five of Australia's capital cities rank among the world's 20 most expensive places to live.

Uranex's wholly owned Mkuju uranium project in Tanzania has attracted aspiring joint venture partners, the company says.

Africa-focused uranium producer Paladin Energy has widened its first half net loss from the previous corresponding period even though it achieved record production.

A South Korean firm has been has awarded the contract to build a huge processing plant offshore from Western Australia for the $US34 billion ($A31.8 billion) Ichthys gas project .

Altona Mining has joined the ranks of copper producers after its wholly owned Outokumpu project in Finland commenced output.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the economy remains strong despite recent job cuts by banks and manufacturers.

The Transport Workers Union wants the federal government to introduce laws to crack down on the use of overseas workers doing Australian jobs.

Natural disaster assistance funding will be provided to West Australian communities hit by Tropical Cyclone Heidi in January.

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto together will spend $US4 billion ($A3.75 billion) to increase production at the Escondida copper mine in Chile.

 Australian stocks opened lower this morning, with market players using the downgrade of three European countries as a catalyst to sell out of equities.

Nickel miner Western Areas says a recent rebound in nickel prices could boost its financial performance in the second half of the 2012 financial year.

US stocks closed higher on Monday after the Greek parliament's approval of tough austerity measures paved the way for a new financial rescue of the country.

The Australian dollar had a delayed reaction to Greece passing a batch of budget cuts and public sector reforms to help it avoid bankruptcy.

The Australian share market closed strongly, with investors delighted after the Greek parliament voted for an austerity package needed to obtain bailout funds.

ACP magazines and Seven West Media have refused to comment on speculation that the owners of Nine Entertainment Co were looking to offload the magazine publisher in a bid to reduce debt.

Home entertainment retailer JB Hi-Fi expects sales to increase in 2012 as shoppers recover from a bout of post-Christmas fatigue.

 Environmental services firm Cardno has won a $22 million contract to help provide major infrastructure upgrades at several Rio Tinto iron ore mines in Western Australia.

A motorists' lobby group says the competition and consumer watchdog has the power to crack down on petrol price gouging by supermarkets and other fuel retailers.

Bank workers could walk off the job in protest at ANZ Banking Group's plans to axe 1,000 positions in 2012.

Expectations of a strengthening housing sector have been helped by new figures showing a rise in the value of new home loan commitments to a two-year high, economists say.

Murchison Metals shareholders have backed the sale of key assets to the company's equal joint venture partner, Japan's Mitsubishi, clearing the way for the $325 million deal to proceed.