The Australian dollar has finished the day higher, despite falling back from its earlier highs amid uncertainty about the future of the US Federal Reserve's stimulus program.
The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in almost a year following further gains in its US counterpart and disappointing Chinese manufacturing figures.
The Reserve Bank of Australia says a softer-than-expected inflation outlook allowed it to cut the cash rate to a record low, as it tries to boost underperforming sectors or the economy.
Share ownership among adult Australians declined from 43 per cent to 38 per cent during the past two years, a 2012 Australian Securities Exchange study shows.
The Australia dollar has fallen below 99 US cents, driven lower by growing investor demand for the US dollar and a negative response to Tuesday's federal budget.
US stocks have surged to new all-time closing highs on renewed optimism after a prominent hedge fund manager said the stock rally of 2013 still has more room to go.