US stocks have jumped amid hopes the partial government shutdown will not seriously harm the economy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 62.03 points (0.41 per cent) to 15,191.70.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 2.5 per cent, saying the current setting of monetary policy remained appropriate.
The Australian market has opened higher after gains on international markets as investors shrugged off worries about the partial US government shutdown.
The Australian dollar is higher against a weaker US dollar as the US Congress struggles to pass budget legislation before the end of the financial year.
The Australian dollar has fallen slightly ahead of next week's Reserve Bank board meeting, amid anticipation that the central bank may lean towards another rate cut.
The Australian share market has hit another fresh five year high as previously underperforming stocks pushed the market to its seventh consecutive week of gains.
US stocks have risen for the first time in six days after some encouraging jobs and housing market data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 55.04 points (0.36 per cent) to 15,328.30.
Managing risk and implementing methodical strategies have helped three local companies hit their targets, guests at a recent Business News Success & Leadership breakfast heard.
The US Federal Reserve is looking into allegations that traders received information about its policy decision last week ahead of the official release time.
The Australian dollar is slightly higher against the US dollar as the greenback is pressured by weaker economic data and worries over US government budget negotiations.
US stocks have ended an up-and-down day mostly lower, as investors watched a Washington budget debate as the deadline for funding the government looms.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 66.79 (0