AAP

St George Bank has cut its fixed home loan interest rates again as variable rates become more attractive.

Floods, cyclones, bushfires and storms have cost more than $4 billion in insurance claims across Australia this year.

Engineering firm Macmahon Holdings has finalised the contract terms with Fortescue Metals Group for the construction of the Solomon Rail project.

Chief executive of market operator ASX Robert Elstone will join the board of Westpac Banking Corporation in the new year.

Australian stocks clawed back recent losses in early trade as sharp gains in offshore bourses sparked hopes for a long-awaited Christmas rally.

The Australian dollar rose above parity with the US dollar to reach its highest level in a week on the back of strong economic data from Germany and the US.

US stocks rallied nearly three per cent on Tuesday, boosted by US data showing a surge in new housing starts, encouraging news on Germany's economy, and reports of a Greek deal with private debt ho

Australia is expected to remain a hot spot of merger and acquisition activity because of its cashed-up companies, in defiance of a worldwide slump in corporate deals, new research finds.

Tobacco company Philip Morris has become the latest cigarette manufacturer to file a High Court challenge against the federal government's plain packaging laws.

Australian stocks ended slightly weaker after a day of choppy trade as positive minutes from the central bank's meeting helped investors shrug off the ongoing economic gloom. 

Elders says profits in the first two months of its fiscal year are on track with the agribusiness's improvement plans.

Shares in Gloucester Coal are in a trading halt following reports it was in talks about an $8 billion merger that would create Australia's largest independent coal producer.

Westpac Banking Corporation says it will defend a class action against all four big banks over allegedly unlawful fees.

Leighton Holdings' Asian business has been awarded nearly $130 million in new contracts for work in Hong Kong.

The federal government is going after directors of failed companies who, having avoided liability for workers' entitlements and other debts, restart the business under a similar name.

The possibility of further interest rate cuts hinges entirely on developments in Europe's government debt crisis, economists say.

Retail spending rose in November, a new private sector survey shows, despite major retailers complaining of weakening demand.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says it expects global economic growth to stall in the coming year, keeping the door open for more cash rate cuts in 2012.

Australian stocks rose slightly as investors went bargain-hunting after a rout on the retail sector yesterday saw shares slump to a three-week low.

Mining focused engineer Macmahon Holdings has upgraded its full year profit forecast because of additional work.

 The Australian dollar was slightly lower as markets digested news of the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il.

US stocks slogged lower in thin trade on Monday as investors digested news of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's death and Europe's latest efforts to contain the eurozone debt crisis.

Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, wants to go to the High Court to try to keep secret details of a legal battle with her three children over their multi-billion dollar family trust.

Organisers of the ISAF Sailing World Championships today hailed the event as a major success despite claims the number of spectators fell well short of expectations.

Newcrest mining has reduced its full-year gold production guidance by about six per cent because of a production disruptions and lower grades and recoveries.

Motorists should expect some festive cheer at the bowser with petrol prices expected to fall by up to two cents a litre in the next two weeks, an economist says.

Australian shares ended near a three-week low as the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il brought more uncertainty to a market already riled by a slump in the share price of domestic retailers.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has invited Australians to submit their priorities for next year's federal budget.

Four out of five Australians are worried about their ability to meet future debt repayments, a survey shows.

Superannuation funds have posted their worst performance since the height of the global financial crisis in 2008 as the eurozone's debt problems cut returns from capital markets.

Fairfax Media has appointed a new boss of its radio arm.

DuluxGroup says a resilient home renovation market and improved performances from its trade businesses will drive net profit higher in 2012.