US stocks finished mixed Monday ahead of a Federal Reserve policy board meeting that analysts hope will provide a better picture of the US economy's direction.
Australian stocks have defied a positive lead from offshore and opened weaker, with falls among the energy and healthcare sectors leading the overall market lower.
US stocks took a roller-coaster ride in the week to Friday as Wall Street marked three years since hitting bottom in the middle of the Great Recession.
The Australian dollar continued its rise today, with traders relieved there may be an end in sight for the current chapter in the Greek government debt crisis.
The Australian share market has opened higher following Wall Street's strong positive lead and on optimism that Greece has secured enough support for its debt-swap deal.
The Australian dollar has proven resilient after the release of weak local jobs data, helped by optimism that the Greek government re-financing operation will prevent a debt default.
The Australian share market closed stronger after three consecutive days of losses on views that there is a reduced likelihood of a Greek debt default and solid US private sector job numbers.
US stocks rebounded on Wednesday after Tuesday's rout, with investors encouraged by US jobs data and signs that Greece was likely to make Thursday's deadline to seal a crucial debt write-off deal.
The Australian dollar was three-quarters of a US cent lower on Wednesday after the release of economic growth figures that were much weaker than expected.
The Australian share market finished firmly lower after battling headwinds on all fronts, with negative offshore leads, concerns about Greece's debt woes and disappointing Australian gross domestic
US stocks registered their biggest losses of the year on Tuesday amid worries about the looming Greek debt swap deal and slowing growth in the global economy.
The Australian dollar has dropped over three-quarters of a US cent after the Reserve Bank of Australia indicated that it is open to more interest rate cuts.
The Australian share market closed firmly in the red after weaker base metals prices and a downwards revision of China's economic growth target weighed on mining stocks.
US stocks have fallen on worries about the slowing global economy after China lowered its growth estimate eclipsed positive numbers on the US services sector.
