Australia's share market has started the week almost flat, amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, soaring oil prices and the return of inflation risks.
There are calls for a defence contingency plan to be put in place after the government played down a US administration review of the AUKUS submarine pact.
Wall Street ended sharply lower on Friday after Iran launched missiles at Israel in response to intensive Israeli strikes aimed at crippling Iran's ability to build nuclear weapons.
The Australian share market has pared early gains after hitting a fresh record peak, as investors took profits and de-risked ahead of key US inflation data due overnight.
Australia's share market has closed at its highest ever level as multiple sectors rallied on hopes of a trade resolution between the United States and China.
Metcash has announced the creation of the Total Tools and Hardware Group – a merged entity of its Independent Hardware Group and Total Tools Holdings entities.
US stocks closed higher on Friday after a better-than-expected jobs report calmed worries about the economy, while Tesla bounced, clawing back some losses from a sharp plunge.
More than 500 people from politics, showbiz, charity, sport and business are recognised in the general division of the 2025 King's Birthday Honours List.
The Australian share market has slipped after again approaching its best-ever close, fading ahead of key US economic data and a long weekend in most Australian states.
