Financial Services

The Reserve Bank of Australia should slash interest rates to a fresh record low next month, Westpac's top economist says, as new figures show consumers remain pessimistic.

The share market is higher after mining giant BHP Billiton reported a stronger production result.

US stocks have finished with modest gains helped by firm buying in tech stocks, after a day spent mostly well in the red.

The Australian dollar is lower as falling oil prices and a downgrade to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) global growth forecasts weighs on market sentiment.

The share market finished flat as weaker oil and base metal prices dented the resource stocks.

QBE Insurance Group has entered into an agreement for the sale of its US agency businesses to California-based Alliant Insurance Services for $US300 million ($A367 million).

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower, following falls in metals and oil prices overnight.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower in quiet trade with US markets closed for the Martin Luther King public holiday.

The share market has broken a five-day losing streak despite a sharp drop on China's market denting the major banks.

Macquarie Group is on track to post its biggest profit in eight years, as the lower Australian dollar and improved market activity bolsters its earnings.

We've analysed 450 WA takeovers and capital raisings worth $18 billion to rank the top advisers, brokers and lawyers.

The Australian share market has opened the week higher after Wall Street and European markets rose more than one per cent on Friday.

The Australian dollar has eased off a little after rallying on Friday on the back of the Swiss central bank's shock currency announcement.

The sharemarket has fallen for a fifth straight day, capping its worst week in 18 months.

Business News' CEO survey has unearthed strong views on the turbulent 12 months just gone, while also offering some timely advice to our political leaders.

The Australian sharemarket is lower in the wake of a surprise move by the Swiss central bank to strengthen its currency.

Wall Street stocks have fallen for a fifth straight day following disappointing US bank earnings and a surprise move by the Swiss central bank to strengthen its currency.

The Australian dollar has gone from strength to strength overnight, following upbeat local jobs figures and the Swiss central bank's decision to slash its interest rate.

The share market has fallen for a fourth straight day as a drop in commodity prices and a negative lead from US markets outweighed better-than-expected jobs figures.

It might seem unimportant to know exactly why copper has been added to the list of sick commodities, but if it is more than a fright over excess supply and slack demand then we could be on the verge of a rerun of the GFC.

ANZ Banking Group is tipping the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut its cash rate by 50 basis points to a new low of two per cent within the first six months of 2015.

The Australian sharemarket has started lower following a slide on Wall Street and a fall in commodity prices.

Wall Street stocks have dropped on a bruising day for global markets following a disappointing US retail sales report and a weak global economic forecast from the World Bank.

Disappointing US retail sales numbers have given the Australian dollar a lift above 81 US cents.

Shares closed lower for a third straight day as further falls in commodity prices sparked investor nerves.

The Australian sharemarket has opened lower following a weak lead from the US and lower iron ore prices.

Wall Street stocks have closed modestly lower as worries about sliding crude oil prices overshadowed a strong unofficial start to earnings season by Alcoa.

The Australian dollar is treading water as investors await the release of highly-anticipated jobs figures on Thursday.

Falling oil prices have again weighed on the share market, although positive Chinese trade data helped to erase some of the damage.

The satisfaction level of Australian business banking customers has reached its highest level but, rather than the big four, it's the smaller banks that are making them happy, according to a survey by Roy Morgan Research.

The Australian sharemarket has opened lower following another slide in oil prices overnight.

Perth finance house Euroz has reported a first-half loss as a result of weak conditions in its core stockbroking business and write-downs in the value of its listed investment companies.