Financial Services

Shares in explosives and mining industry supplier Orica have tumbled after it reduced it full-year profit guidance by 10 per cent.

Santos has cut its production forecasts, but higher gas prices have helped boost the energy company's revenue.

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

The Australian share market has again nudged above the 5,000 point mark but fell away in afternoon trade to end only slightly higher.

Investors who kept their money in Australia's top blue chip stocks enjoyed great returns in the 2012-13 financial year.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has suffered a fall in sales revenue due to the temporary closure of one of its facilities.

The Australian share market has opened half a per cent higher.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as investors wait for an update on economic stimulus measures in the US from that country's top central banker.

Chinese overseas investment leapt 29 per cent to $US45.6 billion ($A49.62 billion) in the first half of 2013, with major increases in the Australian and US markets. Data from China's commerce ministry on Wednesday shows overseas investment increased significantly in the period, with money flowing into Australia up 93 per cent from last year.

Australian shares have closed slightly higher, boosted by gains from resource companies on the back of record production results from mining heavyweight Rio Tinto.

The Reserve Bank says another interest rate cut could be on the cards thanks to a benign inflation outlook.

The Australian stock market is higher, following Wall Street's lead after the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both reached fresh record highs for the third session in a row.

The tax office is set to target builders and sales and marketing managers over incorrect work-related expense claims this year.

Encouraging signs for the housing sector have driven a rise in banking shares, which pushed the market to a fifth straight day of gains.

Shares in mining hopeful Oakajee Corporation have been placed in a trading halt as the company moves to raise funds.

Strength in the resources sector has pushed Australian shares higher, although the market lost some ground after China's finance minister lowered expectations for the country's economic growth.

A rise in home loan approvals is a sign that record-low interest rates are working to stimulate the housing sector.

The Australian market has opened higher after the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 surged to record highs overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 have vaulted to new records, after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke pledged to maintain the Fed's easy-money policy for the foreseeable future.

The Australian dollar is higher after the US Federal Reserve chairman eased concerns about the tapering of the central bank's economic stimulus program.

Australian stocks shot up by 1.3 per cent, with investors cheering comments out of the US that money would continue to be pumped into the world's largest economy.

Australian stocks are higher after US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke indicated stimulus measures would remain in place for the forseeable future.

The Australian dollar is weaker but off its lows as US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke hints that stimulus measures are set to continue.

US stocks ended mixed on Wednesday after the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting suggested it could end its QE stimulus program by the end of the year.

Australian shares have closed higher despite slipping in afternoon trade due to concerns about a slowdown in China.

A solid lead from US markets has helped push Australian stocks higher.

The Australian dollar is weaker as traders overlook the International Monetary Fund's forecast that Australia's biggest trading partner China faces a prolonged growth slowdown.

US stocks have closed solidly higher for the fourth straight day as investors ignored the International Monetary Fund's lowered growth forecasts for the US and global economies.

The Australian dollar is higher due to stronger than expected inflation data out of China.

Australian shares shot up in what market watchers hope is a sign investors are over their jitters caused by the US flagging a cut to its stimulus program.

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

The Australian dollar is firmer as it looks like a Portuguese political crisis may have been averted, boosting risk appetite.