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".
US stocks have remained locked in a six-week slide under clouds from the global and domestic economy and worries that more political infighting will send the country over the fiscal cliff.
Hartleys, Argonaut Securities and Amscot Stockbroking have been honoured as Perth’s top broking and advisory firms at the inaugural Western Australian Capital Markets Awards.
The head of Cash Converters says a "first strike" delivered against the company's pay report on Friday is peculiar, given that shareholders approved executive share bonuses two years ago.
US stocks zig-zagged around the break-even line in volatile trade on Thursday before ending slightly lower, pulled down in part by Walmart's disappointing earnings.
The stockbroker who brought about the demise of Perth firm Hogan and Partners has pleaded guilty to fraudulent activity totalling more than $7 million.
US stocks tumbled on Wednesday as President Barack Obama challenged Republicans to accept tax increases for the wealthy in a deal to avert the year-end fiscal cliff.
US stocks closed lower on Tuesday as worries about Greece's debt crisis and the US "fiscal cliff" took the shine off strong quarterly results from home-improvement giant Home Depot.