Financial Services

ASX Ltd's $553 million capital raising has prompted speculation the stock market operator was clearing debt to free it up to take part in a big merger deal.

The Australian market had its best day in nearly 18 months as investors decided its month-long slide had gone far enough.

The Australian market has opened stronger, raising hopes of an end to the sharp slide in shares in recent weeks.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest point in a week with it looking less likely the US Federal Reserve will wind back its economic stimulus program.

US stocks gained their footing after a rocky start on Thursday to put on strong gains in their first positive day this week, shrugging off the 6.4 per cent plunge in Japanese markets.

The Australian share market posted its 13th day of losses in 17th trading sessions amid worries about global economic growth and the winding back of stimulus packages.

The Australian market has continued its downhill run, opening more than half a per cent lower following falls on international bourses and worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

The Australian dollar is higher after hitting a one-week high following the release of strong local consumer sentiment figures.

US stocks have fallen sharply in highly volatile trade, with the Dow posting its first three-day losing streak this year amid worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

The Australian share market extended its losses on Wednesday as investors continued to move their money offshore amid concerns about a weak global economy

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

The Australian dollar is higher, after bouncing back a from heavy losses that saw it hit an almost three-year low overnight.

US stocks have ended the day solidly lower after the Bank of Japan's status-quo policy decision revived concerns about the winding down of central bank stimulus measures.

The Australian share market closed higher as cautious investors searched for higher yielding and defensive stocks.

Lending for housing is pumping an extra $2.4 billion a month into the economy than it was a year ago.

The Australian share market is marginally higher to begin the week, reflecting mixed offshore leads during the long weekend for the Queen's Birthday holiday.

Share market operator ASX is raising $553 million to fund growth by issuing new shares to existing shareholders.

The Australian dollar is just over half a US cent higher after the release of mixed economic data from its major trading partners.

US stocks were flat in early trade as Standard & Poor's raised its outlook for the country's debt rating from "negative" to "stable".

US stocks ended the week higher but it was hardly smooth sailing for investors as the markets remained choppy for a second week in a row.

Australian shares closed lower as cautious investors sold resources stocks ahead of the release of key economic data in the US and China.

Australian shares are weaker as investors worry about sluggish US economic news ahead of the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

The Australian dollar has jumped sharply higher in a morning of volatile trading.

US stocks have swung erratically as the US dollar sank and bond prices rose, but finished higher a day ahead of the government's release of US employment data for May.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a two and a half year low as weak economic figures gave traders more reason to sell the currency.

Australian shares closed more than 1 per cent lower as investors were swayed by ongoing negative sentiment.

A new April record has been set for Australian companies becoming insolvent.

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

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level since October 2011 amid weakness on global stock markets.The currency dropped to a low of 95.11 US cents early this morning.

US stocks have shed more than 1.0 per cent following a global rout as weaker-than-expected data on private jobs creation underscored weakness in the US economy.

The Australian dollar has fallen over one US cent after sluggish national account figures raised the possibility of more interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The Australian sharemarket closed more than one per cent lower as weak GDP figures prompted investors to dump banking stocks.