AAP

Australian shares opened slightly higher due to a positive lead from the US, but enthusiasm was subdued with the focus remaining on Europe's debt problems.

Atlas Iron has bought Gondwana Resources' 90 per cent stake in the Corunna Downs project in the north Pilbara for $2.1 million in cash.

Tiger Airways has been cleared to increase its number of flights in Australia ahead of the busy Christmas travel period.

The Australian dollar was slightly higher as the increased cost of borrowing for European governments weighed on market sentiment.

A bit of positive data on the US economy gave stocks a boost on Tuesday, as traders brushed off new figures showing stalling European economic growth.

Australia's middle-ranked miners are sitting on a $7.6 billion cash mountain after tapping shareholders for funds, leaving them better placed to weather the volatile share market.

Fund manager Perpetual has allocated a fifth of its resources portfolio to offshore investments as it seeks attractively priced stocks amid global volatility and uncertainty.

The Australian dollar fell more than one US cent even though the central bank gave no direct hints on the future path of interest rates, which the market expects will be cut in December.

The state government will spend almost $14 million in the next five years to reduce the risk of shark attacks after three fatal attacks in recent months.

Tiger Airways says it is unable to be profitable in Australia when limited to just 22 daily flights a day, under restrictions imposed after the forced grounding of the airline's fleet earlier this

Consumer worries about interest rates have been overtaken by concerns about the impact of the carbon tax and utility costs on household finances.

Australian shares closed half a per cent weaker amid renewed worries about European debt.

The federal government's move to lift a ban on uranium sales to India has boosted uranium stocks, but share prices are still well below the levels before the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

A leading business lobby group has urged the federal government not to increase taxes to achieve its budget surplus, as Labor looks for ways to make up for falling revenues.

Premier Colin Barnett says China will play hardball over joining the Oakajee port and rail project but he is optimistic it will go ahead.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it is possible for Australia to be a close ally of the United States and also be friends with China.

Businesses that incorrectly attribute price rises to carbon pricing are being scrutinised by the competition watchdog.

The builder of the federal government's $36 billion national broadband network (NBN) has signed contracts worth up to $635 million for equipment to install the high speed service in homes and busin

Premier Colin Barnett has welcomed a move by federal Labor to lift its ban on uranium sales to India.

Small business trading conditions and confidence have continued to deteriorate against the backdrop of an escalating European debt crisis, and weak consumer confidence and spending, a new survey sh

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has not given any indication that it will cut interest rates again in the coming months.

Australian stocks have opened lower, as investors followed the lead set in offshore markets during the overnight session.

Gold fell on Monday as the US dollar strengthened, tracking riskier assets as investors once again focused on the huge euro zone sovereign debt problems following initial optimism surrounding new g

US stocks fell Monday as wary markets kept an eye on political changes in Greece and Italy aimed at tackling the eurozone debt crisis.

Resources giant BHP Billiton says it will spend billions of dollars ramping up shale gas production in the United States this decade.

Fertiliser and explosives maker Incitec Pivot has increased full year profit 13 per cent and says 2012 will be a transition year as it seeks to expand the Asia-Pacific explosives business.

The majority of Australian women reaching retirement have no superannuation savings behind them, the Minister for Employment Participation says.

Elders has posted a $395.4 million annual loss but said its underlying performance had improved and forecast an improved performance for the current fiscal year.

Petrol prices have fallen to a 10-week low and one economist is tipping cheaper fuel in the weeks ahead.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is pleased with an APEC leaders' agreement to slash the region's energy intensity and cut tariffs on environmental products.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy has posted a much bigger net loss for the September quarter than a year earlier after booking an impairment charge for its Kayelekera mine in Malawi.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is hopeful the airline will reach contract agreements with workers by next Monday's deadline.