Perth-based stockbroking firm Hartleys has largely maintained its profitability in challenging conditions - a feat that few, if any, of its competitors managed to achieve in the 2013 financial year
The Australian share market has opened higher with investors confident the US central bank will continue its economic stimulus program following weaker-than-expected jobs figures.
The federal government is giving the Reserve Bank of Australia $8.8 billion to strengthen its ability to implement monetary policy and foreign exchange operations.
US stocks have risen on generally solid corporate earnings and increased confidence after a weaker-than-expected jobs report that the US Federal Reserve will not soon scale back its stimulus progra
US stocks have ended little changed as investors took a breather after last week's hefty gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.45 points (0.05 per cent) to 15,392.20.
The Australian share market has closed at a new five-and-a-half-year high, after US and European markets lifted at the end of last week as US government services were re-opened.
US investors have powered the S&P 500 to an all-time high, one day after Washington politicians reached a deal to reopen the government and avert a feared debt default.