Financial Services

US stocks rallied last week despite mediocre economic data and middling corporate earnings, revealing once again the power of the US policy regime of easy money and low interest rates.

A rise in commodity prices has helped push the Australian dollar back above the 103 US cent level.

The Australian market has closed slightly lower despite commodity stocks staging a comeback.

Investors did not view the Australian dollar as a safe haven during the global financial crisis, despite the country's strong economy, new research from Murdoch University suggests.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher, boosted by stronger mining stocks on the back of improved prices for commodities.

Gold prices have closed at their highest level in nearly two weeks, as investors drew confidence from data showing central banks' purchases of the precious metal in March while brisk demand for gold coins, jewellery and bullion bars in Asia continued.

The Australian dollar is almost half a US cent higher as overseas stock markets and commodity prices gain ground.

US stocks have finished a volatile trading session higher following improved jobless claims data and a mixed bag of corporate earnings.

The Australian share market has closed about 1.5 per cent higher as low inflation figures raised investors' expectations of an interest rate cut.

The Australian market has opened higher, led by industrial stocks with exposure to the US and the major banks heading into reporting season.

The Australian dollar is higher after traders went bargain hunting when the currency fell to a six-week low.

US stocks have finished up more than one per cent despite a two-minute mini-crash caused by a false news agency tweet, with good earnings results from DuPont, Travelers and Netflix.

After four years advising Navitas founder Rod Jones as his biggest client, investment banker Jon Biesse is about to make the commitment full-time, stepping into the private world of business to run

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in six weeks following the release of disappointing Chinese manufacturing figures.

The Australian share market has closed higher, boosted by a 10 per cent rise in the shares of Woodside Petroleum, which announced a $520 million return to shareholders.

The Australian market has opened higher, lifted by a positive session on Wall Street and gains for Woodside Petroleum.

US stocks have moved higher amid mixed earnings reports, bouncing back after last week's losses.

The Australian dollar has started the week on the back foot, after losing more than three quarters of a US cent late on Friday.

The Australian share market closed higher, led by resources stocks that rebounded after being battered last week due to falling commodity prices.

The Australian market has opened higher with gains across the board except in retail stocks.

The Australian dollar is lower as its US counterpart rallies amid concern about the weak global economic growth.

US stocks eked out a gain on Friday but it wasn't enough to keep the week from ending in the red.

The Australian dollar is higher after gains on stock markets and in the gold price overshadowed a warning from the International Monetary Fund about the currency's value.

The Australian share market has made feeble gains, after resources stocks were spared a further pounding.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, as investors defied a negative lead from Wall Street and took advantage of recent declines to get back into the local market.

The Australian dollar is lower as gloom about the global economy continues to weigh on stock markets.

US stocks have fallen for a second day in a row amid mixed earnings reports and gloomy sentiment over recent economic indicators.

The Australian share market has closed lower, led by sharp losses among the big miners.

Australian stocks have opened lower, with market players getting out of the resources sector and pouring into the big banks.

US stocks have closed sharply lower in the wake of disappointing earnings reports and a 5.5 per cent plunge in Apple shares, along with dreary economic sentiment in Europe.

Macquarie Bank paid $20 million for a one fifth stake in Perth-based financial services group Homeloans.

The Australian share market turned positive again after two days of losses, with investors buoyed by strong overseas leads.