The federal government has moved to end damaging pre-budget speculation over the nation's retirement nest eggs, announcing a series of measures, including a 15 per cent tax on superannuation earnin
Consumer and business confidence in Australia should rebound in 2013 if the global economy stays relatively stable, says Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev.
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 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 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.