Wall Street has enjoyed its strongest session in a month, led by financial and technology stocks after encouraging US factory and construction data suggested the world's biggest economy was regaining momentum.
Gold has turned lower, as the US dollar and global equity markets rose on better-than-expected US data, fueling speculation the Fed will raise US interest rates.
There are many growth-driving tax reform options still on the table despite the federal government’s move away from a GST increase, according to KPMG tax partner Grant Wardell-Johnson.
Gold has risen one per cent, boosted by lower equities and weak US data, leaving the metal well placed to log its best monthly performance in four years as turmoil in wider markets increases its safe-haven appeal.
Gold has fallen more than one per cent, as the US dollar and global shares rose, but fund buying persisted as investors expected a G20 summit would produce little in the way of a co-ordinated stimulus program.
Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour is confident a new two-tier mail system and higher stamp prices will get the organisation back on its feet despite falling letter volumes.
The global LNG market could soon be in sharp oversupply, with Australia contributing about a third of that excess in what will become a buyers’ paradise, an international expert says.
Any trade union-backed court challenge to the state government's updated wage policy would result in job losses in the public sector, Treasurer Mike Nahan warned today, as above inflation pay rises would need to be offset through lower staff numbers.
Wall Street has posted solid gains as higher oil prices reduced fears that banks could be hit by debt defaults and investors saw opportunities after weeks of volatility.
Spot gold has risen, buoyed by a strong technical formation and the potential for a bullish "golden cross" to form, while the futures market pared losses after feeling earlier pressure from the strong equity markets.
ANALYSIS: Rubbery figures and projections aside, WA’s iron ore miners are breathing a little easier thanks to improving prices and a favourable exchange rate.
Former treasurer Peter Costello will lead Nine Entertainment Co through what the group hopes will be sweeping changes to media regulation in Australia.
Gold has risen above $US1,250 an ounce and has neared a one-year high, acting as counter against risk alongside top-rated government bonds as oil's earlier weakness rippled into global equity markets.
US stocks have mounted a late-session rally to close higher after an increase in oil prices helped reduce investors' fears about banks' vulnerability to energy companies struggling to pay their debts.
