Financial Services

The Australian dollar has jumped after the European Central Bank lowered one of its key interest rates into negative territory for the first time.

The Dow and the S&P 500 have bolted to new records after the European Central Bank launched aggressive measures to stimulate fragile eurozone growth and avert deflation.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as investors await the outcome of a European Central Bank monthly policy meeting overnight.

The share market is flat in early trade as investors take a cautious approach ahead of an anticipated rate cut by the European Central Bank.

US stocks have risen, pushing the S&P 500 to a record close, following mixed economic data a day ahead of the closely watched meeting of the European Central Bank.

The Australian dollar has continued to rise on surprisingly strong economic growth figures.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors shrugged off better-than-expected headline economic growth figures and decided to take profits ahead of a key European Central Bank meeting on Thursday.

The share market has opened lower as investors trade cautiously ahead of the release of economic growth figures.S

The Australian dollar has drifted lower after getting a boost on Tuesday from the Reserve Bank's monthly statement.

Wall Street stocks have retreated from Monday's records as investors looked ahead to Thursday's European Central Bank meeting and Friday's monthly US jobs report.

The Australian share market has closed lower as weaker than expected retail figures and uninspiring commentary from the Reserve Bank of Australia weighed on investor sentiment.

The Australian share market was weaker in early trade ignoring positive leads out of the US overnight.

The Australian dollar is weaker on the back of disappointing local building approvals figures.

The Dow and S&P 500 again rose to new records following a solid report on US manufacturing activity, even as the Nasdaq lost ground.

Australian shares have lost ground as weak iron ore prices weighed on the market.

The Australian share market has opened slightly lower as weak iron-ore prices and concerns China's softening economy overshadows Wall Street's new highs.

The Australian dollar hit an almost two week high after official data showed business investment intentions for the coming financial year are getting stronger.

The battle between two giant meat processors over hot dog maker Hillshire Brands has helped boost Wall Street, lifting the S&P 500 to a new record.

Perth-based biotech firm Orthocell has confirmed it intends to list on the ASX after outlining plans for an $8 million initial public offering.

The Australian share market has closed lower as falling iron ore prices weighed upon the resources sector.

The Australian share market has opened lower on soft US leads and a further drop in iron ore prices.

The Australian dollar remains steady in the absence of any major economic news or data.

Wall Street stocks have finished lower following mixed earnings reports as investors looked ahead to major US economic data releases.

The Australian share market has closed in positive territory after touching a six year high in afternoon trade.

The Australian share market has opened on a positive note, led by the big banks, after an encouraging lead from the United States.

The Australian dollar is steady after a quiet night of trade on currency markets.

The S&P 500 has notched a record close for the second straight session as US stocks rallied following some solid economic data.

The Australian share market has closed flat, with few local and offshore leads.

Suncorp boss Patrick Snowball is determined to keep the financial services group's problematic life insurance business despite it facing a $500 million writedown.

The Australian share market has opened higher with both the mining and banking stocks up.

The Australian dollar has managed to hold its ground after getting some support from a positive session on European stock markets.

Italy has led Europe's stock markets in a robustly positive reaction to elections which have put conservatives in a leading position but given anti-EU forces a huge boost in France and Britain.