News

Westpac has cut its dividend for the first time in a decade after the bank's full-year profit dropped 15 per cent to $6.85 billion.

The Australian share market has moved higher despite a slide in major bank stocks, instead following the positive lead from Wall Street at the end of last week.

Employers want non-union options for major projects

Oil prices rose nearly 4.0 per cent on Friday on signs of progress in US-China trade talks and stronger-than-expected economic data in both countries, including US employment and Chinese manufacturing activity numbers.

Gold prices eased on Friday as better than expected US jobs numbers and strong factory data from China bolstered sentiment for riskier assets.

The Australian share market has finished marginally higher despite losses by the heavyweight financial sector.

Macquarie Group has lifted first-half profit 11 per cent to $1.46 billion and increased its interim dividend, but maintains its full-year result will fall short of last year's record.

Orica has increased its shareholder payout after the explosives maker swung to a $245.1 million full-year profit despite $134 million in writedowns against IT and a WA ammonium nitrate plant.

The Australian share market has opened lower after a negative lead from Wall Street.

Delays sink Indus

Oil prices were nearly 2.0 per cent lower overnight after a leak on a key US pipeline disrupted supply flows and on data showing weak factory activity in China.

Gold prices jumped more than 1.0 per cent overnight supported by an interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and as uncertainty surrounding a US-China trade deal bolstered the metal's safe-haven appeal.

The Australian share market has fallen for a second day, with ANZ Bank dragging down the heavyweight financial sector.

Australia's peak medical group has released its latest annual scorecard on private health insurance and warned the country's private health system is on a "precipice".

Mineral sands producer Iluka Resources is reviewing what to do with a royalty it holds on BHP's iron ore operations in Western Australia.

The Australian share market has fallen after a morning of choppy trade, with ANZ bank dragging down the heavyweight financial sector.

Payroll change equals pay day

Oil prices extended losses overnight after a steep US crude inventory build added to worries about a possible delay in resolving the US-China trade conflict which has hurt global oil demand.

Gold rose overnight on expectations of an interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve but bullion held a tight range as caution set in with investors awaiting clarity on the central bank's future monetary policy.

The Australian share market has snapped seven days of gains with a major sell-off that left every sector in the red.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will receive an extra $1 billion in federal funding for a 'green bank' to invest in pumped hydro power, batteries, and gas energy projects.

Annual inflation inched higher to 1.7 per cent in the September quarter amid signs the lower Australian dollar is helping offset the impact of soft consumer demand.

Woolworths underpaid its employees by as much as $300 million over almost a decade, only discovering it had been keeping the cash when shocked store managers complained they were earning less than their staff.

BHP, Rio emissions claims media ‘sugar hits’: Forrest

Oil prices were mixed overnight, paring earlier steep losses as investors focused on signs that US-China trade tensions could ease next month and expectations that US refined product stockpiles declined last week.

Gold fell to a one-week low overnight as hopes for a US-China trade deal buoyed risk sentiment while gold investors will watch how other financial markets react to this week's Federal Reserve meeting at which the central bank is widely expected to cut US interest rates.

It's been a seventh day of gains for the Australian share market but they have again been modest.

Vocus Group chief executive Kevin Russell says the NBN is creating a broadband market that undermines competition and discourages private investment.

Albanese backs in blue-collar workers

Oil prices fell overnight after four days of gains as expectations US crude stockpiles will rise and worries about weak Chinese industrial data offset hopes oil demand will increase if talks progress on a China-US trade deal.

Palladium soared overnight to hit $US1,800 an ounce for the first time ever, extending a record run triggered by a stark supply shortfall, while gold fell nearly 1.0 per cent on optimism surrounding a US-China deal that pushed stocks to a fresh peak.

The Australian share market has given up nearly all of its early gains, just barely extending its winning streak to six days ahead of busy week for economic data.