AAP

James Hardie shares have fallen after a strong rise in underlying profit still failed to meet market expectations.

Virgin Australia says its domestic ticket prices will rise by as much as $6 per flight due to the federal government's carbon pricing scheme.

The mining sector has given Martin Ferguson its backing as the prime minister considers the ministerial future of the resources minister and other key backers of Kevin Rudd.

Oil and gas producer AWE has booked a near $30 million first half net profit, driven by higher oil prices and lower operating costs, and says it will continue to pursue investments in the energy in

Perth has recorded its second hottest summer on record, its hottest summer in 34 years and its wettest summer in 12 years.

The approval of the structural separation of Telstra means the government can go ahead with the rollout of the national broadband network, offering genuine competition in telecommunications, Prime

The uranium industry has achieved a remarkable turnaround in the 12 months since the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima power plant in Japan, a key industry figure says.

Heavy rains in NSW and Queensland has led a tough start to 2012 for building products maker Boral.

Optus has failed to gag AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou from claiming the telco was "lifting" content owned by sporting bodies, behaviour "akin to stealing".

Australian stocks opened firmer this morning, led by strength in the telecoms and information sector.

A substantial drop in Atlas Iron's interim net profit was due largely to project value write-downs, but the miner remains on target to meet its full year production forecast.

The Australian dollar is higher on optimistic global sentiment, ahead of a European operation to boost liquidity.

The Dow Jones industrial average narrowly missed 13,000. Again.

Internet-based shopping is growing at ten times the pace of the struggling traditional retail sector, with annual sales surpassing $10 billion for the first time.

The Australian dollar has fallen more than a quarter of a US cent as demand rises for European currencies.

Telstra Corporation will start selling internet plans to be delivered over the national broadband network from tomorrow.

Caltex Australia says the it expects the recent deterioration of its refining business to be sustained for a prolonged period.

Motorists can kiss goodbye to cheap petrol from tomorrow, with prices set to hit $1.55 as world oil prices surge due to supply concerns in the Middle East.

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.