Financial Services

Australian shares closed higher, clawing back a large part of Monday's losses, after the central bank cut official interest rates to their lowest level since the global financial crisis.

Australia posted a much larger current account deficit in the first three months of 2012, mainly due to a large rise in mining equipment imports.

The Australian share market opened slightly higher, with most sectors posting gains as investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) latest interest rate decision.

US stocks have closed mixed after a day of bumpy trade, as eurozone turmoil kept a shadow over the markets.

Australian shares have closed at a six-month low after being battered by bleak economic data from China, Europe the United States and locally.

Bankwest has agreed to make changes to recent advertising for its Breeze MasterCard after ASIC raised concerns that the advertisements were misleading or likely to mislead.

The Australian share market plunged 1.75 per cent in opening trade to its lowest level since November after Wall Street suffered its worst day of 2012 and fell into bear market territory.

The Australia dollar fell to a fresh six-month low following the release of weaker Chinese manufacturing data but regained some ground later in the day.

Australian stocks have closed lower for a third straight session as weak economic data from offshore prompted investors to abandon resources-linked sectors of the market.

The Australian share market suffered falls in opening trade, driven by weaker materials stocks, aggressive short selling of the top 50 stocks and a soft lead from Wall Street.

Stumbling Facebook shares got a shot of adrenalin Thursday and pushed five per cent higher as US stocks traded lower Thursday on dull jobs and economic growth data.

The Australian market has closed lower, dropping for a second straight day as ongoing worries from Europe hit financial stocks hardest.

The Australian share market remained in the red by noon on fresh concerns over Europe's debt crisis, with consumer staples stocks bucking the downward trend.

The Australian economy is robust enough to withstand current global uncertainty, but not immune, Treasury boss Martin Parkinson has told a Senate hearing.

The Australian share market has tumbled more than one per cent in opening trade as fresh worries over Europe's debt crisis led to heavy falls on US and European bourses.

US stocks have dived in the wake of European and Asian losses on rising investor worries about Spain's weak banks.

Westpac says it's all for speeding up payments between companies and people in Australia, but wants a new body set up to oversee the process.

Weak retail figures, combined with pessimism around Spain, have pulled the Australian dollar almost one US cent lower.

The Australian share market has closed lower in the wake of weak retail trade data, reports that China's government may not stimulate economic growth as much as hoped for, and continued worries abo

The Australian share market has opened lower as investors digest reports that China's government may not repeat its massive 2008 stimulus package to boost economic growth.

US stocks have risen more than one per cent, helped by hopes that China will launch a stimulus program and signs that Greece's elections might push through a euro-friendly government.

The Australian dollar marked time today, despite data showing house sales on the mend and as investor sentiment towards the European debt crisis improved.

The Australian share market has closed higher, boosted by opinion polls suggesting a victory for pro-austerity conservatives in next month's Greek election.

Australia stocks have opened weaker, with declines among the big miners leading the broader market lower.

Most European stock markets have fallen on bank strains in Spain, but avoided a deep slump after opinion polls pointed to a win for pro-austerity conservatives in the upcoming Greek election.

The Australian share market bounced back to close almost one per cent higher, boosted by firmer resource and energy stocks.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is believed to have lifted her stake in Fairfax Media, and questioned the abilities of the company's chairman Roger Corbett in the process.

Australian banks need to catch up with the rest of the world and make financial transactions faster for customers, Reserve Bank of Australia boss Glenn Stevens says.

The Australian market has opened higher despite weak leads from Wall Street, as buyers took advantage of cheaper resources stocks.