Financial Services

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank says interest rates on deposit accounts may be about to fall as other sources of funds become cheaper and more accessible for banks.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent lower after falls in gold prices and US stocks on Friday.

The Australian dollar continued its move higher after a rally in the yen helped push the US dollar lower.

Australian shares have closed flat, with the benchmark index holding above 5,000 points for a third day.

Economists from two of Australia's largest banks say several more interest rate cuts are needed to support the economy in 2013 as the boom in mining investment peaks. 

ANZ's first quarter net profit dropped by nearly a fifth to $1.36 billion.

Losses among the major banks and miners have dragged the Australian share market lower, but it continues to push above 5,000 points.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan is urging the Group of 20 major economies to close tax loopholes that allow profitable multinational companies to exploit differences in taxation regimes to avoid tax.

US stocks have traded flat despite the excitement from two giant M&A deals, the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, and Berkshire Hathaway and 3G's takeover of ketchup maker Heinz.

Accounting firm Deloitte Australia has appointed its outgoing Western Australian boss, Keith Jones, as its national chairman.

The Australian dollar marked time during the afternoon session after traders earlier pushed it to a fresh one-week high in response to brighter consumer confidence data.

The Australian share market has remained above the 5,000-point mark, boosted by encouraging company earnings reports.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says banks shouldn't be penalised for their enormous profits by paying more tax.

Australian shares have opened flat, as investors remain cautious a day after the market closed at its highest level since 2008.

A collection of lacklustre earnings reports and in-line economic data have capped US stock gains, with the markets gaining no bump -- or loss -- from President Barack Obama's key policy speech.

The Australian share market closed at its highest level since 2008 as bank stocks soared on a better than expected profit from Commonwealth Bank (CBA).

The Australian share market has breifly broken through the 5,000 point mark as a better than expected profit by Commonwealth Bank boosts sentiment.

Commonwealth Bank's first half net profit is up one per cent to a record $3.66 billion.

 The Dow blue-chip stock index has climbed back above 14,000 to a fresh five-year high as markets await President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh three-month low on speculation North Korea had carried out a fresh nuclear test.

The Australian sharemarket finished flat after the All Ordinaries index pushed through the significant 5000 point barrier earlier in the day.

The central bank will have to cut the cash rate again at some stage given the chronic low levels of business and consumer confidence, a leading business group says.

Business confidence in January mostly held on to its gains made in December, helped by a rally in the local sharemarket, a private survey says.

Gains by the major banks have pushed the Australian share market toward the 5,000 point level.

US stocks have closed barely lower, with buyers finding little fresh inspiration after last week's five-year highs to offset a fall in energy shares.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher following a quiet day of trading, with Asian markets closed due to the Lunar New Year holidays.

The Australian share market closed lower, led down by falls in mining-related sectors.

Tax concessions within Australia's superannuation system are not as generous as those in other countries.

 The Australian stock market has opened flat, with strong gains in consumer discretionary stocks offset by weakness in mining-related sectors.

Australians are struggling to put money aside, while households are feeling less comfortable after having spent their carbon tax compensation allowances, a survey has found.

The S&P 500 punched to a new five-year high on Friday and the Nasdaq to its best since 2000, as stocks regained footing helped by a sharply narrowed US trade deficit.

The Australian dollar fell to its lowest level in more than three months after the central bank indicated the door is open for more interest rate cuts.