AAP

 Australian shares ended lower as investors took profits ahead of the February profit reporting season.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says he has no plan to follow France's lead by introducing a financial transaction tax.

Global economic uncertainty is hampering the ability of companies to grow and deters them from creating new jobs, according to a survey released today.

Oil and gas producer ROC Oil lifted production in the December quarter, but for the year it was down.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has blamed "excessively pessimistic" reporting of Australian economic indicators for keeping local confidence down.

 Australian stocks have opened slightly higher after mixed leads from offshore bourses kept investors wary ahead of the start of the local earnings season.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher on expectations that Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to avoid a debt default.

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos says there is "total convergence" among political allies on new austerity measures needed for a second bailout and debt cuts to avert default.

The federal opposition believes the Reserve Bank of Australia, and not the government, should do much of the heavy lifting if the local economy needs a boost in the face of a souring global economy

 The Australian dollar has retreated slightly from a three-month high after a reassessment of global economic prospects by the currency market.

The Australian share market ended at a seven-week high today, led by the resources and materials sector.

The Australian dollar is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign central banks and sovereign wealth funds as they try to reduce their exposure to under-performing US and European currencies.

Labor leader Mark McGowan has announced his new shadow cabinet and created a portfolio to address cost of living pressures.

 Australian shares have opened higher, led by the big miners, following a US Federal Reserve decision to keep interest rates low for longer.

The Australian dollar has lost ground after reaching its highest level in three months overnight amid a global rally of shares and risk currencies.

US stocks erased early gains on solid earnings reports from Caterpillar and Netflix to end lower on Thursday, with some weak economic data and profit-taking seeming to drive the selling.

Treasurer Wayne Swan won't be cutting the major retail banks any slack if the central bank cuts the official cash rate again at its board meeting next month.

Horrid summer weather could spoil the party for food and liquor retailers this Australia Day, as people cancel their traditional barbecues.

The Australian dollar continued to trade above 105 US cents despite expectations of further interest rate cuts after official data showed that inflation was easing.

Asciano has restructured its Patrick ports division, resulting in a significant reshuffle of its executive team.

 Australian shares closed at a six-week high after official figures showing an easing of inflation boosted hopes for further interest rate cuts.

 Listed investment firm Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) expects uncertainty in Europe to continue to cause market volatility in the coming months.

Shares in base metals and gold miner Bass Metals have been suspended from trading as it may not be able to meet debt repayments amid concerns its Tasmanian operations are becoming financially margi

Buying Australian-made or grown goods creates local jobs and helps the economy, a consumer group says.

Job advertisements on the internet fell by three per cent in December compared to a month earlier, national data shows.

The federal opposition believes Treasurer Wayne Swan will need to be a magician to deliver his promised budget surplus in 2012/13 in the light of downgraded global growth forecasts.

 Australian shares have climbed after market-beating results from Apple helped bourses shrug off growing concerns that Greece may default on its debt.

Atlas Iron has cut its production targets for the financial year because of the impact of Tropical Cyclone Heidi.

The Australian dollar has been dragged down as negotiations to prevent Greece defaulting on its debt hit an impasse and the International Monetary Fund downgraded its global growth forecasts.

US stocks fell Tuesday on concerns that a deal to prevent a default by Greece might fall through.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan is being "sneaky" by promoting an opt-out provision for workers under proposed Sunday trading laws, the government says.