Financial Services

The US Federal Reserve is looking into allegations that traders received information about its policy decision last week ahead of the official release time.

Gold futures have risen as investors fear a potential impasse in US budget talks may bolster demand for the metal.

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.

The Australian share market has closed higher, with widespread gains ending a three-day losing streak.

The involvement of two members of the board of Australia's share market operator in a trading scandal in the US was unfortunate, their chairman says.

The Australian share market has opened a third of a per cent higher.

The state government was caught by surprise last week when ratings agency Standard & Poor's cut Western Australia's long-term rating from AAA to AA+.

The price of oil slipped below $103 a barrel for the first time since early August, as the U.S.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower amid more signs that the US economic recovery may not be all that strong.

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

Australian shares have fallen for a third consecutive day, due to uncertainty caused by a debt ceiling stand-off in the US Congress.

Just as New Zealand banks are being forced to tighten their lending criteria, Australian institutions appear to be loosening their belts.

Gold futures have fallen for a second session as investors weighed the likelihood of a rollback of Federal Reserve stimulus.

US stocks have closed firmly in the red, extending Friday's losses, amid uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's stimulus taper plans.

The Australian dollar has continued its rally amid news that Chinese manufacturing activity is surging ahead.

Australian shares finished lower, but stemmed some of their losses on the back of strong Chinese economic data.

West Perth-based gold miner Middle Island Resources has raised $5 million towards its proposed acquisition of the Samira Hill gold mine in West Africa through a share placement.

Investment firm Macquarie Group still expects its profit to rise in the current fiscal year, so long as financial market conditions continue to improve.

Today's young workers can expect to have an average $1.1 million in their superannuation by the time they retire but it won't be enough to maintain a comfortable post-work lifestyle.

The Australian share market has started the week in negative territory, down nearly one per cent in early trading.

The Australian dollar has fallen against a stronger US dollar, after a senior US Federal Reserve official said the Fed still could taper its bond purchases this year.

From Saturday, Sept 21st:

The Australian market looks set to open lower after Wall Street gave up much of the gains made on the Federal Reserve's no-taper decision to finish lower at its last session.

Consumerand business sentiment on one hand, and confidence on the other, have jumped either side of the election such that optimists now comfortably outnumber pessimists.

The Australian share market closed weaker with traders unwilling to push stock prices beyond the five-year plus highs they hit during the week.

The Australian stock market has opened lower, giving up some of the significant gains made during Thursday's rally.

US stocks have closed mixed, cooling off after Wednesday's torrid rally in the wake of the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain an aggressive stimulus program.

The Australian dollar is lower as the dust settles on the US Federal Reserve's unexpected decision to maintain its economic stimulus program.

Western Australia's biggest home-grown company, Wesfarmers, is poised to deliver stellar returns to shareholders, or slump alarmingly.

The Australian dollar held steady above 95 US cents today for the first time in three months after the US Federal Reserve made a surprise decision to keep its stimulus measures.

The Australian share market has hit a five-year high, gaining more than one per cent after the world's largest economy decided to continue its stimulus program.

he Australian share market has opened higher after the US Federal Reserve surprised investors by deciding to continue with its $US85 billion-a-month stimulus scheme.