AAP

The Australian dollar was higher on Monday after strong official home loan data boosted investor appetite for the growth currency.

Resources sector investment company Talbot Group Investments is poised to offload its stake in junior uranium explorer Marathon Resources.

The Australian share market closed at a fresh 10-month high on Monday as political tensions in Egypt eased and investors regained some appetite for risk.

A union is picketing a downtown Perth construction site over concerns Chinese workers are being underpaid and denied other entitlements.

Sundance Resources says it is reasonable to expect a 20 per cent increase in total costs to develop its multi-billion dollar Mbalam iron ore project in Africa.

Less than 24 hours before the first West Australian parliamentary sitting day of the new year, Opposition Leader Eric Ripper has unveiled a reshuffle that affects more than half the shadow ministry.

Mining contractor Ausdrill has secured new contracts in Africa and Australia, including contracts with BHP Billiton in Zambia.

The number of new home loans taken out by home buyers rose in December and economists say it adds to the case for further tightening by the central bank as it appears the market has brushed off the rate increase in November.

The hospitals funding plan thrashed out in Canberra will result in a sustainable system to ensure improved public health services, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.

About 100 Qantas pilots have met in Melbourne to discuss industrial action over a pay dispute.

Leighton Holdings says it expects full year net profit to fall by more than 20 per cent in 2010/11, after reporting a 25 per cent drop in first half profit.

The Australian share market has risen in opening trade today, on positive leads from overseas markets over the weekend after the departure of Egyptian president Mubarak.

BHP Billiton is revelling in the commodities boom and on track to record pre-tax profits of $30 billion for the financial year, according to reports.

US stocks closed out their second straight week of gains on Friday with a rally sparked after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned, easing tension around the region for now.

The Australian dollar was higher on Monday as market sentiment improved following the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Alcoa seeks five-year relief for Wagerup – The West; Tycoon's $40m fee spelt finish to Burrup float – The Fin; Stowe gets $2m from Griffin – The West; Perpetual opposes Kresta bid – The Fin; Sundance costs may reach $US4bn – The Fin

The Australian dollar was almost one US cent lower on Friday after Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens ruled out a further rate rise for the time being.

Severe water shortages in Western Australia's wheatbelt region has led to an official declaration of water deficiency by the state government.

The Australian share market was moderately weaker on Friday as investors took profits after digesting mixed earnings results and the impact of civil unrest in Egypt.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett is likely to agree to the federal government's amended hospital reforms after a clawback of the state's GST was dropped from the package.

The first week of the corporate profit season shows a growing optimism among the big end of town but smaller players are being hurt by continuing consumer caution.

Investor dissatisfaction over what they say is an inadequate buyback proposal by Rio Tinto has led to the miner's shares losing ground on the London and Australian stock exchanges despite bumper profits.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has proposed a 50-50 public hospitals funding arrangement with the states and territories.

Interest rates are not excessively restrictive but Australians are becoming more cautious about their funds, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says.

The Australian stock market opened lower this morning, after a poor lead from overseas markets.

Australia's biggest gold miner, Newcrest Mining, has more than doubled its first half net profit due to record gold production and higher commodity prices.

An investigation is underway after a vessel almost sank near the $43 billion Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island off Western Australia's northwest coast.

The Australian dollar was lower this morning, after better than expected US employment data brought investors back into the US dollar.

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Telstra and the company building the national broadband network have reached a deal pivotal to the rollout of the $40 billion project.

US stocks recovered to near break-even on Thursday as reports spread that Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak would resign, after being pushed down by bearish forecasts from Pepsi and tech companies Cisco and Akamai.

The Australian dollar was lower on Thursday following an uncertain reaction to local jobs data and how it could affect the direction of interest rates.