AAP

Construction and engineering firm Clough has confirmed speculation it is negotiating with Malaysian company SapuraCrest about the possible sale of its loss-making marine construction business.

The Australian stock market has opened flat in quiet trading as investors await key US economic data later in the week.

Reserve may cut growth forecasts – The Aus; Banks' last-ditch bid to dilute 'signal' ban – The West; WA seeks workers in UK, Ireland – The Fin; Arrests as activists vow to stay – The West; Murchison shares hammered – The West

US stock markets were mixed but mostly lower on Tuesday, giving up a bit of the ground they gained during a strong five-day rally last week.

The Australian dollar opened higher this morning, despite softening risk sentiment in Europe after Moody's downgraded Portugal's credit rating overnight.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned Labor colleagues not to expect an immediate turnaround in public opposition to pricing carbon, as the coalition accused her of avoiding the scrutiny of parliament.

Australian stocks closed slightly lower, with many investors staying out of the market as Wall Street was closed for a public holiday.

The federal government's banking reforms are costing $100 million a year at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the chief executive isn't sure the benefits are worth it.

The federal coalition is warning of a mental health crisis as one farmer prepares to shoot 3,000 of his cattle because of the live export ban to Indonesia.

Crescent Gold directors have accepted a $68 million friendly takeover offer by fellow gold miner Focus Minerals in respect of their personal shareholdings.

The Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate steady at 4.75 per cent at its regular monthly board meeting today.

Activity in the services sector fell in June and has been contracting 10 of the past 12 months, a private sector survey shows.

Regional tourism operators, already experiencing a horror year, could be negatively affected if the grounding of Tiger Airways extends into weeks, the peak national tourism body says.

Japan's largest trading house Mitsubishi has taken a substantial stake in rare earths miner Lynas Corporation.

Australia has widened its trade surplus beyond market expectations, led by strength in the rural and resources sector, economists say.

The federal government has yet to bed down all the details of its plan to price carbon, despite announcing it will unveil a scheme on Sunday.

Three Aboriginal leaders fighting against a planned gas hub in Western Australia's Kimberley region have vowed to step up protests despite the riot squad making a dozen arrests at a blockade.

The Australian share market opened stronger today, despite the absence of leads from offshore trading overnight.

PM set to unveil carbon package – The West; Project backlog an $86bn threat to productivity – The Aus; Customer questions Lanco's licence to mine - The Fin; Bank under attack in Saraceni case – The Fin; Norwegian firm in clear-cut WA deal – The West

European stocks closed mostly firmer, posting very modest gains in quiet trade as the US markets were shut for the Independence Day public holiday.

The Australian dollar was weaker this morning on renewed concerns about Greece's debt, after a credit rating agency warned that the latest bailout deal could still amount to a default.

A protester who chained himself to a bulldozer during a blockade of a gas hub site in the Kimberley has been fined $200.

Online movie rental company Quickflix is to pick up Telstra's BigPond Movies DVD rental business.

The federal government insists Indonesia's decision not to reissue import permits for live Australian cattle is not a permanent roadblock.

Australian stocks underperformed their Asian and US counterparts as disappointing retail spending figures for May surprised the market and left retail stocks struggling.

Federal Finance Minister Penny Wong has downplayed Tony Windsor's suggestion the government can't guarantee petrol will be exempt from a carbon tax forever.

Builders are worried there will not be enough private sector work available when the federal government stimulus programs end.

Shares in Treasury Wine Estate have soared on reports that a Chinese food company is considering making a bid for the company.

Travellers will have to wait until later this week to learn when grounded airline Tiger Airways will fly again.

The outlook for interest rates is unchanged despite the release of weaker than expected retail trade and building approvals data, economists say.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he will abide by the result of a national vote on the carbon tax.

If the West Australian government ends up in a legal battle with building tycoon Len Buckeridge over the disastrous Perth Arena project, it will be thanks to the mess left by the previous Labor government, Premier Colin Barnett says.