AAP

European shares fell on Monday in thin trade, dragged down by banking stocks after Unicredit's rocky start to its key rights issue and worries about prospects for the U.S. earnings season.

Christmas Island oil spill threat; Loyalty pays off for Rinehart heir; Shipping chiefs fire warning shot on work laws; Miles Kennedy to revive Fortnum Gold; KKR eyes PacBrands $600m buyout

The Australian dollar fell after official data showed a continuing weakness in Australia's retail sector.

Australian shares close largely unchanged after a day of tepid trading as investors gear up for the start of the US earnings season.

Australia's big four banks are being given a run for their money by rival mortgage lenders snatching a greater share of the home loan market.

Australian shares have turned lower after disappointing retail sales data spooked already nervous investors.

New home sales received a welcome boost in November after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the interest rate, a survey shows.

Industrial services company Spotless Group has requested its private equity suitor increase its takeover bid to $743 million.

Australian shares open slightly higher after strong US non-farm payroll data released on Friday buoyed hopes that the world's largest economy is on the mend.

Activity in the construction sector has contracted for the 19th consecutive month, reflecting very weak local building conditions, a survey shows.

Qantas bulks up for mine boom - The Aus

Western Australia's indigenous affairs minister Peter Collier has refused to comment on an Aboriginal group's claim he eased mine consent conditions to help his mining magnate friend Andrew Fo

Australian stocks ended 1.2 per cent lower as another slump in retail stocks and sagging investor sentiment over the eurozone debt crisis weighed on the market.

West Australian shoppers are expected to defy the economic gloom over Christmas by spending a record $3 billion.

Adelaide-based brewer Coopers has been named the world's top family business for 2011 in a poll by a UK magazine.

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan has rejected claims of a looming jobs crisis.

Australian stocks declined one per cent in thin trade after a muted reaction to the latest move to solve Europe's debt crisis took the shine off hopes for a Christmas rally.

The Australian dollar dropped more than half a US cent after fear set in that nearly half a trillion Euros in loans from Europe's central bank to struggling commercial lenders may not be enough to

US stocks markets were mixed on Wednesday after Tuesday's strong gains, with the Nasdaq dragged lower on poor Oracle earnings and other indexes finding little direction in holiday-thinned tra

Australian shares broke their two-day losing streak to end sharply higher after strong gains on offshore markets sparked hopes for a long-awaited Christmas rally.

Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has succeeded in keeping details of her family trust battle secret until at least January 13.

The outlook for economic growth has fallen back below trend, although the pace of current activity is still strong, a survey shows.

Australia's housing shortfall is expected to blow out to more than 640,000 in 20 years, prompting industry calls for tax cuts and other measures to stop prices going through the roof.

BC Iron has beaten guidance and shipped about 1.1 million tonnes of iron ore in the first half.

A Lend Lease and Leighton Holdings joint venture will carry out $505 million worth of rail work in Victoria.

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