Investment bank Macquarie Group says strengthening global market conditions have helped boost its annual profit and expects further improvements from its business to come.
The Australian dollar is under pressure as talk of possible tax hikes in the government's budget fuels expectations that interest rates will stay on hold for longer.
The Australian dollar has drifted higher following a rally on global share markets and expectations that the greenback will trade within a narrow range.
The big four banks have defended their lending standards after a report linked them to companies accused of illegal land grabs in developing countries.
US stocks have slumped after a dim earnings outlook from Amazon sparked a big retreat in tech stocks and as world leaders signalled growing worry over Ukraine.
Oil prices have fallen as US commercial crude-oil stockpiles hit an all-time high on the strength of production in the world's biggest oil-consuming country.
The Australian dollar is slightly higher as it struggles to recover from losses made after the release of weaker-than-expected March quarter inflation figures.
Gold prices have fallen to the lowest level in 10 weeks, as investors ignore tensions in Ukraine to focus on an improving US economy and falling Chinese demand for the precious metal.
US oil prices have plummeted on expectations of another increase in the nation's inventories, suggesting tepid demand in the world's biggest crude consumer.
