Financial Services

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.

August was tough on the stock market. Now, investors face an even scarier September.

The Australian dollar is lower despite making slight gains against a weaker greenback in afternoon trade as investor anxiety over a possible US attack on Syria subsides.

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

The Australian share market is higher as investor caution caused by possible military action against Syria eased.

The Australian share market has opened flat as investors continue to sit on the sidelines after a dramatic week in international affairs.

The Australian dollar is lower as solid US economic growth figures raised expectations the Federal Reserve will scale back its asset purchases in the coming months.

US stocks have closed higher following an upgrade to US second-quarter economic growth and a shift in expectations away from an immediate military strike on Syria.

The Australian dollar is higher following a better than expected result in June quarter capital expenditure data.

The Australian share market has finished higher, but activity remains overshadowed by concerns about the Syrian conflict.

The local share market has opened lower as investors sit tight ahead of any major international developments in the Syrian conflict.

The Australian dollar is higher as investor play down tensions over a possible US air or missile strike on Syria.

US stocks have rebounded, led by energy companies benefiting from an oil price spike, as the West mulls a possible punitive attack against Syria for its alleged chemical weapons use.

The Australian dollar is lower due to the growing possibility of military action by the US in Syria.

The Australian share market has suffered its steepest one-day fall in three weeks as speculation about a US military strike on Syria hits the big miners.

Australian stocks have opened sharply lower as rising concern over the West's likely imminent intervention in Syria sent international markets tumbling.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher on the back of rising commodity prices.At 0700 AEST on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 89.84 US cents, up from 89.56 cents on Tuesday.

US stocks have plunged as the country moves closer to punitive military action against Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons in a devastating attack on civilians.

The Australian dollar is lower due to growing expectations the US will launch a military strike against Syria.

Australian shares are slightly higher despite concerns about a possible military response to Syria's unrest.