Financial Services

The International Monetary Fund has given the Australian economy a resounding vote of confidence and endorsed a return to surplus, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher after weak leads from Wall Street and European markets.

The Australian dollar has lifted above the 104 US cents, on the back of improved data from Germany and commentary from the US central bank.

US stocks ended mixed after poor economic data in the US, Europe and China pushed markets to losses in early trade.

 The Australian dollar has fallen to a near two-week low on disappointing Chinese manufacturing data.

Amid concerns about wage-driven inflation, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) governor Glenn Stevens has emerged as paragon of restraint.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors took profits after a recent strong upwards run.

The International Monetary Fund says Australia's banking system is well placed to withstand a US-style housing crisis.

Australian stocks have opened lower despite gains on overseas markets.

US stocks scored small gains on Wednesday as investors weighed encouraging housing data and falling crude oil prices that stoked hopes for more growth in the tepid economy.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after Japan's central bank announced it would extend its stimulus program for the world's third largest economy.

Former National Australia Bank state manager Andrew Whitechurch has been appointed head of Bankwest's new products and marketing division.

Australian shares finished at their highest levels since the start of May, driven up by news of a major Japanese economic stimulus program.

Australian stocks have opened marginally weaker as investors had a subdued reaction to the Spanish government's plan to slash the nation's deficit.

US stocks have finished mostly lower as the aura of the Federal Reserve's new QE3 stimulus wore off and worries about company profits were heightened after FedEx cut its earnings outlook.

The Australian dollar is two-thirds of a US cent lower following weak performances on Asian share markets.

Australian shares finished slightly weaker, with investors consolidating recent gains generated by moves to boost growth in the US and Europe.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey predicts federal tax revenue has fallen by between $20 billion and $25 billion since the budget due to softening commodity prices and a decline in corporate tax.

Homeowners may be in for an early Christmas present, with the Reserve Bank of Australia expected to deliver at least one more interest rate cut before the end of 2012.

The Australian dollar is half a US cent lower, following sharp falls in commidity prices.At 0700 AEST, the local unit was trading at 104.76 US cents, down from 105.24 cents yesterday.

US stocks have closed lower in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's new QE3 stimulus rally amid concerns about weakness in US manufacturing and anti-American unrest in the Middle East.

The Australian dollar has fallen back more than half a US cent on profit-taking following last week's rally.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level since May, as investors were encouraged by separate moves to stimulate the US economy and keep the bailout of the debt-ridden euro zone o

The banks involved in Australia's most expensive and longest-running court case are seeking to take their battle to the High Court.

Australian stocks have opened marginally firmer, with strong gains among resources-related companies offset by weakness in defensive market sectors such as healthcare and utilities.

The Federal Reserve's open-ended QE3 has pulled US stocks out of their slumber and into a two-day rally, taking indices to new multi-year highs.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest level in a month after the US Federal Reserve announced a renewed program to give the flagging American economy a boost.

Australian shares finished at a four-and-a-half-month high, after the announcement of fresh US Federal Reserve economic stimulus measures buoyed investor confidence.

ANZ Bank says its variable interest rates for Australian retail mortgages and small business lending will remain unchanged after its September interest rate review.

Australian stocks have opened more than one per cent higher after the US Federal Reserve's announced stimulus measures led to shares soaring on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest level in a month after the US Federal Reserve announced fresh measures to stimulate the country's sluggish economy.

US stocks have soared after the Federal Reserve announced a new "QE3" bond-buying program focused on boosting jobs and pulling the housing market back to life.