Financial Services

The Australian share market has opened lower after the United States' condemnation of chemical weapon attacks in Syria triggered sharp falls on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after weak US economic data and worries over Syria pulled it in opposite directions overnight.

US stocks have closed sharply lower after Secretary of State John Kerry warned that the US will demand "accountability" after an "obscene" chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians.

The Australian dollar edged higher in a quiet day of trade.At 1700 AEST on Monday, the local unit was trading at 90.38 US cents, up from 90.03 cents on Friday.

Australian shares finished higher as investors bought banking stocks in the absence of local drivers.

The Australian share market has opened higher after Wall Street made solid gains on Friday.

Gold prices have settled at their highest level in 11-weeks high after weaker US home sales data stoked hopes of sustained stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve.

The Australian dollar is a third of a US cent higher after the release of weak US housing data sparked concerns about the America's economic recovery.

US stocks scored solid gains to finish last week, with the market getting a jolt from Microsoft's announcement that chief executive Steve Ballmer will retire within the next 12 months.

The Australian share market has closed higher on the back of encouraging international data.

Shareholders have slammed as too lenient the $50,000 fine handed to former Gunns chairman John Gay for insider trading.

The local share market has opened higher after solid gains on Wall Street overnight and encouraging Chinese manufacturing data.

The Australian dollar has been boosted by stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data.

US stocks have managed solid gains despite a three-hour shutdown of the Nasdaq market that disrupted trade on other exchanges as well.

The Australian dollar fell to a two week low below 90 US cents as it looks increasingly likely the US Federal Reserve will soon start tapering its massive economic stimulus program.

Australian shares fell on Thursday as local investors followed offshore leads and sold riskier stocks, including those in resources companies.

A rising share market has lifted the full year profit of market operator ASX.The company made a net profit of $348 million in the year to June, up 2.7 per cent from the previous year.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent lower.

The Australian dollar is at a three-year low after some US Federal Reserve policy-makers said tapering should start soon, the minutes of their July meeting reveal.

US stocks have finished a choppy day lower after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting gave no more clarity on the central bank's plans for its stimulus program.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as investors wait on the release of the minutes of the US Federal Reserve's July policy meeting.

The Australian share market is higher as strong gains among the major banks offset falls by several major resources companies.

The local stock market has opened flat as gains by the major banks offset losses by mining giant BHP Billiton.

The Australian dollar has regained some of its losses following the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia's August minutes, thanks to stronger gold futures on the back of greenback weakness.

Gold futures have hit a two-month high as losses in the US dollar stoked demand for the metal a day ahead of closely watched minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest meeting.

US stocks have closed mostly higher following some solid retail earnings reports.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.75 (0.05 per cent) to 15,002.99.

Australian shares have finished lower as investor concerns about emerging markets hit resource stocks.

The central bank has left the door open for more interest rate cuts but doesn't plan to walk through it just yet.

The Australian share market has opened nearly one per cent lower.

Australia's largest business lender, National Australia Bank, is on track for a $6 billion full year profit, helped along by improvements in its troubled UK division.

The Australian dollar is lower, dragged down by a fall in commodity prices and the strength of the greenback which was boosted by high US Treasury yields.

Gold futures have fallen as jitters ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting minutes prompt some investors to exercise caution and move to the sidelines.