Financial Services

Australian shares have finished higher, bringing a four-day losing streak to an end due to good employment news from the United States.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says he is prepared to put the final nail in the coffin of the "uncomfortably high" Australian dollar if need be.

The Australian share market has opened higher, bouncing back after four days of falls, after Wall Street hit a record high.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has closed above the key threshold of 16,000 for the first time, extending a rally that has seen the gauge add over 22 per cent this year.

The Australian dollar dipped below 92 US cents for the first time in two and a half months after the head of the Reserve Bank said he has an open mind on intervening to get the exchange rate lower.

The share market has fallen for its fourth straight day due to uncertainty about when the US will start to reduce its economic stimulus program, and a slowdown in Chinese manufacturing activity.

Australian shares are weaker as investors overlook the minutes of the US Federal Reserve's last meeting and focus on profit taking.

The federal agency managing the government's bond portfolio says a buffer beyond what is expected to be the peak in commonwealth debt is needed to cope with unforeseen events in any one year.

US stocks have fallen after minutes from the last Federal Reserve policy meeting said the central bank could scale back its stimulus program "in coming months".

The Australian dollar has fallen more than half a US cent after the minutes of the Federal Reserve's October policy meeting showed that it'll likely wind back its economic stimulus program in the coming months.

The Australian share market has closed lower for the third straight day as investors continued profit taking.

A drop on Wall Street after a four-day streak of fresh records is hitting Australian shares.

US stocks have fallen modestly, ending the Dow's four-day streak of fresh records, as the Justice Department announced a record $US13 billion ($A13.91 billion) settlement over mortgage securities with JPMorgan Chase.

The Australian dollar hit is highest level in almost two weeks after China said it would ease restrictions on investment and the value of its currency.

Australian shares have closed lower for a second straight day as investors sold banking stocks due to worries about US stocks being overpriced.

Australian shares are weaker as Wall Street volatility hits all local sectors.

The Dow edged higher to a fresh record after topping 16,000 for the first time, while the S&P 500 breached 1,800 but pulled back in late trade.

The Australian dollar is lower in cautious trade ahead of the release of the minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's November board meeting.

Falls by financial stocks have kept the Australian share market in negative territory, despite positive offshore leads.

The Australian share market has surprised by opening lower amid uncertainty about the largest sweeping reforms in China in more than three decades.

US stocks enjoyed another sunny week highlighted by congressional testimony by Federal Reserve chief nominee Janet Yellen that raised confidence that aggressive monetary stimulus would not end too soon.

The Australian dollar has benefited from disappointing American manufacturing data coinciding with US Federal Reserve nominee Janet Yellen's comments in favour of continuing stimulus measures.

The Australian market ended the week with solid gains as investors welcomed the incoming US Federal Reserve chair's comments about maintaining economic stimulus.

The stock market has opened flat, as weakness in banking stocks overshadows a positive lead from overseas.

US stocks have barrelled to fresh records, shrugging off some disappointing earnings results amid greater confidence the Federal Reserve will wait longer before scaling back an aggressive stimulus program.

Gold futures have risen as some traders bet that testimony from Federal Reserve chair nominee Janet Yellen signals higher demand for the metal.

The Australian dollar is lower, consolidating after a rally on the back of Federal Reserve chair nominee Janet Yellen's testimony to a US Senate committee.

The share market has closed higher due to indications economic stimulus in the US is likely to run into next year.

The share market has opened strongly on comments by the US Federal Reserve suggesting tapering of its stimulus program won't occur until next year.

US stocks have pushed to fresh all-time highs after a strong earnings report from Macy's raised hopes about the upcoming holiday shopping season.

The Australian dollar has bounced on stronger consumer confidence figures and US dollar selling.

The Australian dollar will hover between US90 cents and $US1.10 over the next five years, leading economist Stephen Koukoulas told a Perth audience this morning.