AAP

Four months after it was first announced, Fortescue Metals Group founding director Russell Scrimshaw has stepped down from the iron ore miner's board to focus on other projects.

The head of Australia's central bank has given no indication there will be an interest rate cut as inflation worries linger.

The world's largest scrap metal recycler, Sims Metal Management, has posted a 51.6 per cent lift in full year profit on the back of a vastly improved performance by its ferrous (iron) division.

Protesters have clashed with police and at least one person has been arrested at the site of proposed gas hub near Broome.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources has tripled its full year net profit due to high prices for the precious metal and increased production.

It's too soon to say how much of a hit global growth will take from weakness in the US and Europe, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Singapore-based budget carrier Tiger Airways Holdings says it plans to raise about $S159 million ($A126 million) to fund an expansion of its fleet by offering stocks to existing shareholders.

ASX Ltd has appointed the head of Tabcorp to replace chief executive Robert Elstone when he steps down from the top job, ahead of the launch of the rival bourse Chi-X.

The Australian dollar was higher at noon, after the Reserve Bank of Australia gave an upbeat assessment of the country's financial system.

Lend Lease Group says the outlook for Australia is positive and it's well-placed to deliver growth, despite global uncertainty.

The Australian share market opened slightly higher despite a weak lead from Europe and Wall Street, as investors awaited firmer direction from central bankers.

US President Barack Obama could visit Australia in November.

Almost 70 per cent of Australians want a moratorium on coal seam gas projects until the environmental and health impacts are known, a Galaxy poll shows.

Gold rose on Thursday after two days of sharp declines, as tumbling European and US equity markets on talk that Germany might enact a short-selling ban prompted investors to buy bullion as a safe h

The Australian dollar was slightly lower following poor US jobs data and as the market waits for a speech from the US central bank chairman.

US stocks fell on Thursday, a day before Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke gives a much-anticipated speech that will offer hints of how the Fed may act to stimulate the ailing US economy.

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Insurance Australia Group has forecast higher insurance margins this financial year as bigger costs brought on by natural disasters are covered by premium rises.

The Australian share market has closed higher, with investor sentiment buoyed by rallies on offshore markets, but pulled back slightly from earlier gains.

Qantas passengers could face delays tonight night as the carrier's engineers begin a fresh round of industrial action.

A key Western Australian resources group says fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers will keep growing in numbers, allowing more people from other states to benefit from the state's resource projects.

The state government will look to tighten rules on unions' right of entry to workplaces following accusations of foot-dragging on industrial relations.

Oil and gas producer ROC Oil has posted a small half year net loss due to higher taxes, special levy charges and derivative losses, but says its full year production target is on track.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she won't be changing the minerals resource rent tax (MRRT) she negotiated with big resource companies last year, despite a push from the Greens.

Gold dropped four per cent on Wednesday as a sharp rise in US durable goods orders and uncertainty ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech to central bankers sparked bullion's biggest one-day drop in 2.5 years.

The Australian dollar will stay above parity and may go as high as 123 US cents, causing job losses in small- to medium-sized businesses, a survey shows.

James Packer’s Crown Limited has increased full year profit by 15 per cent, but the casino operator saw revenues drop significantly at its Burswood venue due to a drop in VIP play.

Apple's legendary co-founder and top ideas man Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive, the company says, in a long expected move after he began a dramatic fight with cancer.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings has unexpectedly appointed a new chief executive, as well as a new chairman, a day after chairman David Mortimer suddenly stood down.

Woolworths has increased full year profit by 5.1 per cent as the country's biggest supermarket chain says it's well positioned in all its market segments.

The Australian share market has opened higher following a strong lead from Wall Street.

Rio Tinto has increased its stake in Ivanhoe Mines with a payment of $C529.5 million ($A511.7 million).