Gains by Disney, Apple and some other large equities have helped lift US stocks into positive territory ahead of earnings from Wal-Mart Stores and Federal Reserve meeting minutes.
The Australian dollar is slightly lower, while putting in an improved performance after last week's losses on the back of China's currency devaluations.
The Australian dollar is only slightly lower as traders shrug off last week's Chinese yuan devaluations and await the minutes of the Federal Reserve's July meeting.
Wall Street stocks have finished little changed in choppy trade as retail sales bested expectations, even as leading department stores reported lower profits.
US stocks have finished mostly higher as an afternoon rally led by Apple and energy equities overcame early weakness on fears about an economic slowdown in China.
The Australian sharemarket has closed sharply lower after China's currency devaluation helped pull back resources stocks, and the Commonwealth Bank's capital raising weighed on the other big banks.
Bankwest has announced an 11 per cent rise in cash net profit to $752 million for the year to June 30, while its parent company Commonwealth Bank of Australia unveiled a record $9.15 billion cash profit.
US stocks have fallen sharply after China unexpectedly devalued its currency, as Apple, General Motors and other companies heavily exposed to China dropped.
The Australian share market has closed lower, with the banking sector down ahead of the biggest bank's, the Commonwealth, full year results on Wednesday.
US stocks have surged as Berkshire Hathaway announced a $US37.2 billion ($A50.2 billion) acquisition of Precision Castparts and petroleum-linked equities rose on higher oil prices.
National Australia Bank has lifted its quarterly cash profit nine per cent to $1.75 billion after a fall in bad debts offset the impact of tough competition among lenders in Australia.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is aiming to keep its investor home loan rates steady in a bid to attract borrowers, despite increases by the big lenders and pressure on its interest margin.
The Australian share market is almost 1.4 per cent lower, dragged down by the banking sector's reaction to ANZ's capital raising and falls on Wall Street.
