Wall Street stocks have finished with decisive gains on modestly higher US retail sales ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later this week.
The Reserve Bank of Australia appears content to keep its interest rate at a record low for the time being as Australia's non-mining industries begin to show signs of improvement.
The Australian share market has opened slightly lower, the morning after Malcolm Turnbull ousted Prime Minister Tony Abbott to become federal Liberal leader.
The Australian dollar has hit a two-week high, getting a boost after Malcolm Turnbull became the new leader of the Liberal party and prime minister designate.
US stocks have finished lower as traders looked ahead to a Federal Reserve meeting later this week that could result in the first interest rate hike in over nine years.
The Australian share market has opened lower as investors shaken by recent volatility sit on the sidelines ahead of the US central bank's interest rate decision.
US stocks have finished sharply lower as a morning rally fizzled and Apple shares dropped after unveiling a suite of upgraded smartphone, tablet and television products.
The founder and non-executive chairman of Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has sold down a portion of his shareholding in the company for $7.24 million.
The Australian dollar has slipped a little lower following a night where trading volumes were low because US markets were closed for the Labor Day public holiday.
The Australian share market has closed slightly lower in the wake of weak leads from US and European markets and the absence of any catalyst to push it into positive territory.
Westpac is aiming to attract more than one million new customers over the next two years and will spruce up the look of its website and its bank branches.
The Australian dollar has fallen to a new six-year low after US jobs figures increased the chances the Federal Reserve will lift its interest rate later this month.
