Financial Services

US stocks have risen, helped by optimism that a military strike on Syria might be avoided.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 140.62 (0.94 per cent) to 15,063.12 on Monday.

Australian shares finished half a per cent higher, buoyed by a decisive election result and positive news from China and Japan.

The number of home loans approved has risen for the seventh month in a row, showing the housing sector continues to strengthen.

Australian shares have opened slightly firmer on the back of positive economic news out of the US, China and Japan.

Weak US jobs data and strong Chinese trade figures, along with a decisive federal election outcome, have given the Australian dollar a boost.

Strong car sales, revived merger and acquisition activity and an expected product launch from Apple have helped propel stocks higher in a week that also featured some major headwinds.

The Australian dollar is marginally weaker as an upbeat US private sector jobs report helps the greenback.

A former director of a stock trading firm that collapsed owing about $630 million to creditors says he hopes to get his life back after being found not guilty of dishonesty using his position.

The local share market finished flat as investors sit on their hands ahead of Saturday's federal election.

Australian shares are flat as investors on hold until the election is over, with banking and mining stocks taking a hit.

The Australian dollar has lost some ground amid more evidence that US employment growth is picking up pace.

US stocks have ended slightly higher as investors looked ahead to Friday's crucial monthly jobs and unemployment report.

The Australian dollar is firmer but off its earlier highs reached after data showed a rise in imports in July.

The Australian market has finished lower, pulled back by falls among resources and banking stocks.

Wall Street stocks have jumped after surging US auto sales pointed to robustness in the manufacturing sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 96.91 (0.65 per cent) to 14,930.87.

The local share market is lower as investors hold out for the federal election and America's response to Syria.

The Australian dollar has extended its rally, heading toward 92 US cents, after official data showed local economic growth was solid in the June quarter.

Wall Street stocks have jumped after surging US auto sales pointed to robustness in the manufacturing sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 96.91 (0.65 per cent) to 14,930.87.

The Australian share market has lost ground as renewed concerns about a possible US military strike on Syria outweighed encouraging figures on economic growth.

Australian stocks have opened lower as investors respond to an increased possibility the US will launch a military strike on Syria.

The Australian dollar rose to a two-week high after the Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate unchanged and issued a neutral statement on the chance of further cuts.

US stocks have kicked off a holiday-shortened week higher, but concerns about a possible US military strike on Syria cut into early gains.

A neutral statement on monetary policy from the central bank has given the Australian dollar a bounce after earlier being dragged down by weak retail sales data.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher despite disappointing figures on retail sales and Australia's widening current account deficit.

Interest rates have been kept steady by Australia's central bank, as widely expected by economists and analysts.

Australian stocks have opened slightly higher following positive leads from European markets.

The Reserve Bank is likely to keep the cash rate on hold as it waits on the outcome of the federal election and allows its August rate cut to work its magic.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as traders move out of riskier assets, playing it safe ahead of a big day of economic events.

Upbeat Chinese and eurozone economic data, combined with receding investor concerns over a US intervention in Syria, have sent European equities climbing.

The Australian stock market has closed one per cent higher due to stronger than expected Chinese manufacturing data.

The Australian share market has opened higher as manufacturing figures out of China lift investor sentiment.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, despite getting a boost from some very positive Chinese economic data.