Financial Services

Stocks staged an afternoon-long rally and closed higher on Wednesday as Greece appeared to close in on the cost-cutting deal it needs to keep from defaulting on its national debt.

The Australian dollar pushed past the 108 US cent mark as markets continue to react positively to the central bank's unexpected decision to hold interest rates steady.

The Australian share market has closed higher as a positive day for energy stocks offset weakness among Australia's retail banks and mining giant BHP Billiton.

Allen & Overy, Freehills and Allens Arthur Robinson have topped WA Business News’ inaugural corporate finance league tables for law firms.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has brushed off concerns borrowers could be hit with higher bank interest rates, saying home owners and businesses could take their business elsewhere.

The Australian share market has opened firmer as traders await a busy day tomorrow for local earnings reports.

US stocks held steady in the green on Tuesday afternoon on growing confidence about the US job market and hope that Greece will reach a debt deal.

The Australian dollar rose to a fresh six-month high and is set for more gains after the central bank surprised the markets by keeping interest rates on hold.

The value of Western Australian listed companies rose by 9.6 per cent in January, as Australian markets continue to mirror commodities, new research says.

Macquarie Group plans to cut 10 per cent of its investment banking jobs and fears its full year profit will plunge as difficult trading conditions take their toll.

Australian shares closed weaker after the central bank unexpectedly kept interest rates on hold and the National Australia Bank and Macquarie Group posted results that disappointed the market.

 National Australia Bank is on track for another record cash profit, but the bank says higher funding costs have begun to hit its revenue.

The building and construction industry and retailers have expressed disappointment with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep interest rates on hold today, saying the nation’s centr

The Australian share market market has opened flat as investors await the release of the Reserve Bank's interest rate decision and news from Greece and local earnings reports.

Banks say they may not be able pass on any interest rate cut the Reserve Bank of Australia makes today.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, as it continues to trade on strong US data.

Miners dragged Britain's top share index lower on Monday, after doubt surfaced about Glencore's potential merger with Xstrata, while banks waned in the absence of a debt deal for Greece.

The Australian share market market has closed higher after better than expected US jobs figures boosted global sentiment for equities.

Chief executive Chris Ryan is the latest departure from wealth manager Perpetual, after clashing with its board over strategy.

The big banks should fully pass on any rate cut by the central bank to help improve consumer and corporate confidence, a business lobby group says.

Australian shares have opened almost 1.5 per cent higher after the release of better-than-expected US jobs figures.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, reflecting positive US jobs data.At 0705 AEDT, the Australian dollar was trading at 107.27 US cents, up from 106.88 cents on Friday afternoon.

A strong January jobs report on Friday sent US stocks soaring, pushing the Dow to pre-crisis levels, as investors celebrated a surge in job growth that pointed to new vitality in the fragile recove

Five small and mid-cap miners including Papillon Resources, Coalspur and Condoto Platinum have raised a total of $39 million in new capital to support operations that stretch from West Africa to Ca

Westpac boss Gail Kelly became the latest bank executive to try to soften up the public to the prospect of banks not passing on the central bank's expected interest rate cuts next week.

The Australian dollar eased back below 107 US cents after trading within a tight range as the market awaited key jobs data from the US.

Australian shares edged lower to a weaker finish as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of key US employment data.

Australian shares have opened largely flat on the back of mixed leads from overseas.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, backing away from the three-month high reached yesterday.

US stocks have ended the session mixed after weekly jobless claims fell, but Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke told congress the jobs market had a long road to recovery.

A renewed appetite for more riskier currencies, sparked by encouraging manufacturing data in Germany, the US and China, took the Australian dollar to a fresh three-month high.