Financial Services

The head of National Australia Bank has called for an overhaul of Australia's industrial relations and taxation systems as the resources investment boom nears its peak.

Westpac does not expect conditions in the banking sector to improve any time soon, but says it is in good shape to deliver sound returns for shareholders.

The Australian market has opened flat after Wall Street fell in response to comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that there was nothing he could do if the US fell off the "fiscal

US stocks closed mostly flat on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned politicians to reach a deal to avoid sending economy over the fiscal cliff.

The Australian dollar is half a US cent higher ahead of a crucial announcement on economic stimulus by the US central bank.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens wonders whether there might be a better way of using monetary policy than the so-called "quantitative easing" of monetary policy being used by major

The Australian share market closed at its highest level in one and a half years as investors piled into mining stocks following strong gains overseas.

Australian stocks have continued to rise after closing at a new high for 2012 yesterday, led by gains by mining companies.

The Australian dollar has rallied to its highest level in almost three months after a surprise rebound in German investor confidence lifted global markets.

US stocks finished solidly higher on Tuesday, with gains in Apple, Google and Intel boosting the tech-rich Nasdaq.

Engineering contractor Clough has extended its $200 million finance facility with a consortium of banks for a further three years.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, despite a survey showing weak business confidence, and ahead of a meeting of the US central bank.

The Australian market closed at its highest level for 2012, with stronger commodity prices led to gains for the mining giants.

Australian firms are heading into Christmas on a pessimistic note, with business confidence slumping to its lowest point since the global financial crisis.

Keeping inflation in check is important to maintain steady economic growth, but it is not enough, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says.

Australian stocks have opened firmer, with the major miners leading the broader market on track to close at a fresh high for calendar 2012.

US stocks ended slightly higher on Monday amid hopes that a political deal over the looming fiscal cliff was in the works.

Investors who jump into the sharemarket in December might just get an early christmas present - if history is any guide.

The Australian dollar is unchanged after weak Chinese trade data reduced earlier gains made on strong US job numbers.

The Australian stock market has closed marginally higher as upbeat Chinese data helped to sustain the momentum of the market.

Weaker-than-expected housing loan figures suggest the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to cut the cash rate further in 2013.

The Australian market has opened flat as trading volumes start to thin out heading into the festive season.

A surprise slide in the US unemployment rate to 7.7 per cent for November gave markets an initial boost on Friday, but shares ended the session mixed.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, enjoying support following a busy week of economic data releases, most of which were quite good.

The Australian market closed at a seven-week high, with across-the-board gains aided by strong overseas leads.

Updated stockmarket indices announced today have highlighted the rising fortunes of telco iiNet and junior miner Papillon Resources, in sharp contrast to the falling value of uranium miner Paladin

Australian stocks have opened firmer amid broad-based gains with the big banks and miners all higher in early trade.

US stocks finished in positive territory on Thursday after circling the breakeven line for much of the session, with a mild rebound by volatile Apple buoying the Nasdaq for a 0.5 per cent gain.

The Australian dollar had a brief rally after the release of encouraging jobs figures, but negativity about the US budget situation prevented it from rising to 105 US cents.

Australian stocks finished slightly weaker today, with the market lacking direction despite an unexpected fall in Australia's unemployment rate.

Profits for the major banks will stagnate in 2013 and the weakening economy will cause a rise in bad debt charges, ratings agency Moody's says.

The Australian market opened slightly higher after budget talks in Washington indicated that US politicians were willing to compromise to avoid falling off the "fiscal cliff".