The major US indexes were virtually unchanged at the close of a quiet trading day with gains in healthcare and consumer stocks after data showed US modest economic growth.
Oil prices have finished a bit higher after a US inventory report showed increased petroleum supply, but a separate report showed fewer drilling rigs in service.
Gold prices have dropped, hovering just above the lowest level in nearly six years after the US dollar rose on the back of strong American economic data.
The state government remains cautiously optimistic about its proposed sale of the Utah Point bulk handling facility in Port Hedland, following the introduction to parliament today of legislation to allow transition of the asset to the private sector.
Australia's big four banks have pulled the Australian share market more than half a percentage point lower, losing ground for a second straight session.
Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney has disagreed with Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens’ view that big companies have not reduced hurdle rates for investment decisions amid falling interest rates, in an address at this morning’s Business News Success & Leadership breakfast.
A consortium of Australian and international investment funds has bought the NSW-based TransGrid "poles and wire" network in a deal worth more than $10 billion.
A jump in petroleum-linked shares has helped lift US stocks after the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border sparked a rally in the oil market.
Gold has risen one per cent, recovering from near six-year lows as news that Turkish fighter jets had shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border sparked a rush to safety among investors, weighing on the US dollar.
Global oil prices have surged higher after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border, sparking concerns about rising tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.
Treasury has cut Australia's potential economic growth forecast, while predicting a return to a budget surplus will take longer than previously forecast.
The Australian share market has closed nearly 1 per cent lower, dragged back by the major banks and continued weakness in the resources sector due to lower commodity prices.
The Australian share market has opened more than half a per cent lower, dragged into the red by continuing weakness in the resources and financial sectors.
Pharmaceutical heavyweights Pfizer and Allergan have unveiled a record-setting $US160 billion ($A222.62 billion) mega-merger as US stocks finished modestly lower.
Oil prices were little changed as traders tried to decipher remarks by Saudi Arabia suggesting a production cutback in response to abundant global supplies.
Gold has fallen one per cent, nearing last week's 2010 low on a robust US dollar and upbeat comments from Federal Reserve officials on a possible US rate rise in December.
Gold have turned lower, ending a two-day bounce up from the lowest level in nearly six years, on the firm US dollar and comments from a Federal Reserve policy maker who said the US central bank should "soon" be ready to raise interest rates.
Business confidence in Western Australia has improved for the first time in 12 months, according to the latest results of a Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA survey.
