Financial Services

Consumer and business confidence in Australia should rebound in 2013 if the global economy stays relatively stable, says Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has vowed to "fight ferociously" to block Labor's latest ch

The Australian stock market has opened flat, with gains by the two big miners offset by weakness among healthcare companies and major retailers.

US stocks closed a choppy day of trading higher after Japan's monetary stimulus plan boosted sentiment.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 55.76 (0.38 per cent) to 14,606.11.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower against its US counterpart following news of fresh stimulus measures in Japan.

The Australian share market finished almost one per cent lower due to weaker offshore leads and lower commodity prices.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, with mining companies posting the largest falls amid broad based declines.

US stocks dropped on Wednesday after weak economic indicators halted the market's upward momentum of recent weeks.

The Australian share market has closed about 0.6 per cent lower amid mixed economic data.

Glenn Stevens will continue to serve as central bank governor until 2016 following his reappointment by Treasurer Wayne Swan today.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big retail banks among the better performers on a day of broad-based gains.

US stocks have pushed to new record highs, bolstered by solid US manufacturing orders and strong results from US carmakers.

The Australian dollar drifted higher during the local session, helped by a weaker US counterpart and the central bank's decision to keep the cash rate on hold.

The Australian share market closed slightly higher due to strength among financial stocks..

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left its official cash rate unchanged at 3 per cent at its April board meeting.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the big supermarket chains and energy companies leading the broader market higher.

US stocks retreated on Monday, weakened by mediocre manufacturing data and cautious sentiment after last week's record highs.

The Australian dollar is almost half of a US cent lower amid nervousness about what will happen with banks in Cyprus and the Italian government over the Easter weekend.

Australian stocks closed about half a per cent lower as the big resources companies dragged the market down following falls in China

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says current low interest rates are a "temporary feature" of the Australian economy.

Australian stocks have opened down about 0.4 per cent, with the big retail banks and energy sector leading the broader market lower.

US stocks mostly fell on Wednesday amid renewed anxiety over the eurozone as Cyprus moves to implement the EU-IMF rescue plan.

The Australian share market closed almost one per cent higher as investors took their cues from positive news in the US.

In its role as overseer of financial stability, it's the Reserve Bank of Australia's job to keep a sharp eye out for things that could go wrong.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with a recovery among the big miners leading the broader market higher.

 US stocks surged higher on Tuesday as favourable sentiment towards equities more than compensated for a mixed bag of economic indicators.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as uncertainty in the euro zone helped support the local currency.

Changes to global bank regulations have been more difficult than anticipated, with only Australia and 10 other jurisdictions so far adopting key parts of the reforms.

The Australian share market has closed lower as markets worldwide were spooked by comments by the Dutch finance minister over the Cyprus bailout.

Cash Converters has obtained $60 million from Westpac Bank that the second hand dealer and short-term loan provider will use to grow its personal loan book.

The Australian share market has opened lower over renewed jitters about the euro zone, following a bailout deal for Cyprus.

US stocks have tumbled after a top European finance official suggested the Cyprus bailout framework could serve as a template for other European bank crises.