AAP

While the federal government continues to promise severe belt tightening in the May 10 budget, it would seem business and consumers are becoming less restrained.

Perth-based Platinum Australia has partly attributed a surge in quarterly production to the efforts of a new mining contractor, following industrial action at its Smokey Hills mine in South Africa.

A soaring Australian dollar produced a diving Australian sharemarket today, as investors decided that record dollar levels are bad for business.

Iron ore miner Murchison Metals has reported a fall in March quarter exports, due partly to flooding affecting production and haulage.

West Australian powerstation operator Verve Energy says a carbon tax would have to be set at up to $70 a tonne to force a shift to cleaner energy.

The Australian Greens will continue to pursue the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, which again has been suggested by the International Monetary Fund.

Shares in Paladin Energy and Extract Resources fell after reports that the Namibian government called for the state owned miner to have exclusive rights over certain strategic minerals including uranium.

Global beverages firm Foster's Group says the sharp rise in the value of the Australian dollar represents a business challenge.

Leighton Holdings has completed the sale of a 35 per cent stake in its Indian subsidiary to Indian conglomerate Welspun Group for an undisclosed amount.

Australian shares have opened 0.5 per cent lower on concerns that the record high local currency will dent the export and other overseas earnings of local companies.

The Australian dollar was slightly higher this morning, after dipping briefly overnight following weak US economic data.

US stocks rallied on Thursday as positive earnings reports lured investors to shrug off mixed economic data.

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Tim Johnston, the boss of discredited fuel pill company Firepower, continues to ignore Federal Court hearings to decide on a continuation of his overseas travel ban.

The Australian share market drifted away from early gains to close flat on Thursday as investors considered the effect a new high for the Australian dollar.

Starting next year, every AFL game for the next five seasons will be broadcast live under the new TV and internet rights deal which was finalised on Thursday.

The Australian dollar moved further into record territory on Thursday after the US central bank indicated it would not raise interest rates in the near future.

The Australian share market was almost half a per cent stronger at noon, trading off its highs of the session as traders digested a new high for the Australian dollar and what it means for stocks and interest rates.

The Australian share market opened higher on Thursday, boosted by strong offshore leads after the US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and flagged the possibility of more economic stimulus.

Share registry Computershare Ltd says it will buy a US share services operation, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation's Shareowner Services Business, for $US550 million ($A510 million) cash.

The Australian dollar was over half a US cent higher on Thursday morning, almost niudging the 109 US cents level.

The Nasdaq Composite index hit its highest level in more than 10 years on Wednesday as US stocks pushed upward after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged.

The Australian dollar breached yet another post-float high and is marching towards 110 US cents and after stronger than expected inflation data raised expectations that interest rates may have to rise to curb price pressures.

Mortgage lending will remain fragile over the next 12 months, forcing banks to maintain profit margins by finding better deals on their own borrowing, a new report concludes.

The Australian share market was weaker on Wednesday on concerns over falling metals prices and higher inflation data.

The upcoming West Australian budget will fund those most in need at levels never seen before, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Australia's March quarter inflation rate was higher than expected and economists predict it will stay high for the remainder of 2011, which means a rate hike is almost certain this year.

The Australian share market opened higher after positive leads from offshore, but gains were capped by subdued commodities prices.

US stocks rose sharply on Tuesday amid a batch of solid company earnings reports and as investors awaited the outcome of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting.

The Australian dollar has broken the 108.00 US-cent mark for the first time since the currency was floated in December 1983.

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The Perth Entertainment Centre will be demolished in the coming weeks as work gets under way on sinking the inner-city rail line, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.