AAP

 US firm Space Systems/Loral has won the $620 million contract for two satellites to provide high-speed broadband to areas in remote Australia.

The Australian share market has opened firmer as traders await a busy day tomorrow for local earnings reports.

Rio Tinto has again demonstrated its faith in Asia's growing demand for iron ore by committing $US3.4 billion ($A3.2 billion) to expand its operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

BHP Billiton's first-half profit has fallen by 5.5 per cent to $US9.941 billion ($A9.3 billion), due to lower commodity prices and some production constraints.

Swiss mining giant Xstrata has booked a 12 per cent jump in attributable profit for calendar 2011 to a record $US5.78 billion ($5.41 billion) due to increased production volumes, cost savings and h

The Australian dollar rose to a fresh six-month high and is set for more gains after the central bank surprised the markets by keeping interest rates on hold.

Macquarie Group plans to cut 10 per cent of its investment banking jobs and fears its full year profit will plunge as difficult trading conditions take their toll.

Australian shares closed weaker after the central bank unexpectedly kept interest rates on hold and the National Australia Bank and Macquarie Group posted results that disappointed the market.

Australia's tourism figures continue to make for bleak reading, with nearly 10,000 fewer international visitors arriving here in 2011, and the number of Aussies taking overseas holidays soaring to

 National Australia Bank is on track for another record cash profit, but the bank says higher funding costs have begun to hit its revenue.

Local crop protection chemical firms have welcomed an investigation by a federal government body into the importation from China of large amounts of a herbicide used in weed control.

West Africa-focused gold explorer Taruga Gold has made a flat debut on the Australian Securities Exchange.

 The federal government has reopened a multimillion-dollar solar energy grant process amid concern about an investment shortfall at its preferred first-round choice.

The Western Australian electric scooter company that helps transport postmen in Spain and police in the Czech Republic has announced its first shipment to Malaysia.

Engineering and construction company Clough has won a $140 million contract for work on Inpex's $US34 billion ($A31.82 billion) Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

South African miner Exxaro Resources is 27 per cent shy of reaching the minimum acceptance level in its $338 million take-over bid for Perth-based iron ore explorer African Iron, with one week left

Mining and rail equipment manufacturer Bradken says its first-half profit is up 65 per cent and its full-year expectations remain unchanged.

The Australian share market market has opened flat as investors await the release of the Reserve Bank's interest rate decision and news from Greece and local earnings reports.

Banks say they may not be able pass on any interest rate cut the Reserve Bank of Australia makes today.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, as it continues to trade on strong US data.

Miners dragged Britain's top share index lower on Monday, after doubt surfaced about Glencore's potential merger with Xstrata, while banks waned in the absence of a debt deal for Greece.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources says it is on track to begin full production at its Mt Magnet mine in March.Shares in Ramelius finished up 2.5 cents, or 2.25 per cent, at $1.135.

The federal government is intensifying pressure on the coalition over its stance on funding for the ailing automotive manufacturing industry.

Software provider ISS Group has inked a three-year deal with iron ore miner and existing client Fortescue Metals Group.

Sales expectations among businesses for the June quarter are at their highest level in eight years, a private sector survey shows.

Motorists can expect to see petrol prices fall by up to three cents a litre in the next fortnight, after fuel peaked last week, an economist says.

The Australian share market market has closed higher after better than expected US jobs figures boosted global sentiment for equities.

Chief executive Chris Ryan is the latest departure from wealth manager Perpetual, after clashing with its board over strategy.

Monadelphous has sold its stake in fellow engineering, construction and contracting company Norfolk Group for $24.4 million, reaping a tidy profit in the process.

Consumer prices rose in January, as the cost of utilities and transport increased.

Industrial services company Spotless has given in to shareholder demands and will allow its private equity suitor to cast its eye over the Spotless business.