AAP

Ways to boost the ailing manufacturing industry will be on the agenda when Prime Minister Julia Gillard meets unions and industry groups on Monday.

The Australian dollar was close to one US cent higher, reflecting broad-based US dollar weakness after a speech by the leader of the US central bank left markets cold.

US stocks closed solidly higher on Friday, shrugging off central bank chief Ben Bernanke's "no new stimulus - yet" message and locking on his statement that growth should pick up in the second half

Unions escalate IR war with 'out of touch' RBA – The Aus; Labor defends open economy – The Fin; Boom puts people on move – The Aus; Water restrictions on WA miners – The Fin; Reboot for rare-earth mine – The West

Bill payments operator BPAY has axed its Me and My Bank Online (MAMBO) project after ANZ Bank and National Australia Bank (NAB) withdrew from the online payments identity project.

Companies brave enough to provide detailed forecasts were even rarer than stellar performers this earnings season, analysts say.

Perpetual's shares jumped to a 10-week high after the wealth manager and trustee announced a $70 million off-market share buy-back and an annual profit in line with expectations.

Australian shares closed lower, ending a flat day of trading ahead of a speech by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, which is scheduled for after the local market closes.

The nation's peak oil and gas body has urged the federal government to ensure proposed changes to tax laws designed to give Australians a fairer share of return of resources profits do not cripple

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.

PM's push for local talent – The Fin; Carbon tax 'risks power plants' – The West; Job cuts create a ripple effect – The Fin; Burrup suit casts doubt on loan – The Aus; Stokes merger vindicated – The West

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.