The Australian share market has closed slightly higher as investors await more movement on addressing Greece's debt and the so-called fiscal cliff in the United States.
Treasurer Wayne Swan has used parliamentary question time to raise the achievements of the Labor government after five years of power, saying it has been endorsed by the International Monetary Fund
European stock markets and the euro rose as traders welcomed strong Chinese manufacturing data and an Israel-Gaza truce, while a Greek bailout deal was put on hold ahead of an EU summit.
The Australian share market closed higher on Thursday, with positive manufacturing data out of the US overnight and China during the day promoting positive investor sentiment.
Finance Minister Penny Wong insists the federal government is sticking to its budget surplus strategy despite figures suggesting it's falling short of the target.
The Australian share market has closed lower, with investors unimpressed following a decision by European finance chiefs to delay a decision on fresh help for debt-laden Greece.
US stocks have closed near breakeven, clawing back from losses after Hewlett-Packard reported a huge charge for an acquisition, offsetting fresh data signaling recovery in the housing market.
The likely inclusion of the Australian dollar in an obscure survey of central bank holdings of foreign exchange has been hailed as a feather in the currency's cap.
US stocks have surged on upbeat housing data and hopes that politicians will find a way to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts in January.
The Australian market closed higher after investors received a glimmer of hope that US politicians may be able to negotiate to avoid falling off the "fiscal cliff".
