Financial Services

Volatility on European markets has created short-term opportunities for investors while the local sharemarket flounders around six month lows, analysts say.

Australian stocks closed lower with investors' caution about the weekend's Greek elections overriding positive offshore leads.

Australians shouldn't wish too quickly for a lower Australian dollar, the nation's top central banker says.

Australian stocks have opened slightly higher following gains on Wall Street and European markets.

US stocks have bounced back, reversing the previous day's losses while shrugging off the spectre of more turmoil in Europe.

The Australian dollar has slipped following Europe's decision to bailout Spain's banking system, but it is likely to fall during the week as markets brace for the fallout from Greek elections.

Businesses will be banned from charging customers excessive credit card fees under new regulations announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The Australian share market finished slightly higher despite big falls on overseas markets as instability in Europe continues.

Six of the world's 30 most pricey cities for expatriate workers are in Australia, a survey has found, with Perth jumping 11 spots in the global ranking.

The Australian share market opened slightly higher despite weak offshore leads on the back of higher Spanish and Italian borrowing costs.

The Australian dollar has dropped more than one US cent, after a long weekend of trade in which it moved above parity briefly.

An early rally fuelled by Spain's banking bailout fizzled prompting US stocks to head into negative territory, as the reality of more imminent risks confronting the eurozone sank in.

The Australian dollar rallied to a four-week high against the US dollar, briefly hitting parity this morning, after Spain secured a bank rescue deal.

Europe's debt crisis and sluggish US economic growth drove share market volatility higher last week, but market players are calling for anxious equity investors to keep the faith.

After five weeks in a slump, US investors turned their backs on more worrisome news from Europe and poor US economic data to deliver the markets their best week so far this year.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors fretted over comments made by the head of the US central bank over the risk that the troubled euro zone posed to the US economy.

Australia's top central banker says recent interest rate cuts are not designed to spare mortgage holders the pain of falling house prices.

The Australian share market has opened flat with strength in materials stocks offsetting weakness across the financials sector after a disappointing trading session on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is trading back down from its previous highs, based on global banking activity.

US stocks have closed mixed after China lowered interest rates to spur its slowing economy, while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke dented stimulus hopes for the United States.

The Australian dollar has continued its upwards march back towards parity with its US counterpart following unexpectedly strong domestic employment data.

Australian shares finished stronger for the third consecutive day amid renewed optimism about Europe's ability to avert a financial disaster in Spain.

Australian stocks have opened more than one per cent higher as investors make up for Monday's big losses with renewed confidence in global markets.

US stocks jumped more than 2.3 per cent Wednesday after the European Central Bank said it would keep open its unlimited liquidity loans for eurozone banks at least through 2012.

The Australian dollar rose to its highest level against its American counterpart in more than two weeks following better than expected domestic growth data.

Australian stocks have closed higher for a second straight day despite giving up early gains after a closer inspection of the latest economic growth figures.

Better than expected gross domestic product (GDP) figures could help push the Australian dollar toward 99 US cents, with the currency half a cent higher at noon.

 Treasurer Wayne Swan does not believe the major banks when they say they can't afford to pass on the latest official interest rate cut.

The Australian share market made modest gains in opening trade thanks to a positive lead from Wall Street and as investors await more developments in Europe's debt crisis.

Finance Minister Penny Wong has acknowledged concerns that economic events overseas are affecting the spending habits of Australian households.

US stocks have managed to eke out moderate gains in choppy trade as investors weighed stronger-than-expected growth in the crucial services sector and Europe's long-running financial crisis.

The Australian dollar is more than one US cent higher after the central bank delivered a smaller than expected interest rate cut and G7 finance ministers called an emergency meeting on Europe's deb