AAP

Oil refiner Caltex Australia plans to raise $300 million through capital markets to help fund changes to its operations.

The Australian sharemarket has opened higher as investors increase their exposure to risk while waiting to see if stimulus measures in Europe and the US will spark growth.

Apple shares have shot higher after unconfirmed reports that the tech giant is preparing to launch a new version of its hot-selling iPhone in September.

The Australian dollar is a third of a US cent higher ahead of the much anticipated meetings of the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB), this week.

US stocks have closed in the red as Wall Street hopes for US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank stimulus action this week and awaits a report on the July jobs market.

The Australian dollar has hit a fresh high in response to comments from European leaders vowing to act on the region's debt.

The Australian share market has closed almost one per cent higher, with the banks leading the way.

Miner Ivanhoe Australia's tumultuous year continued as it announced plans to slash exploration spending by half.

Flinders Mines says it can now start developing its flagship $1.1 billion Pilbara iron ore project with no commercial impediments after a takeover bid for the miner by a Russian steel-maker fell th

Two Broome grandmothers who chained themselves inside a van to protest Woodside Petroleum's proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub have been fined $500 each and given spent convictions.

Australians are paying almost twice as much as US shoppers for some computer games because the IT industry discriminates, consumer watchdog Choice says.

The federal budget deficit for the last financial year is likely to be better than expected due to solid revenue growth, the latest government figures show.

The Australian sharemarket has opened almost one per cent higher after solid gains on Wall Street and European markets.

They're black, ugly, pungent and mouldy - and worth almost their weight in gold.

The Australian dollar is half a US cent higher on speculation European leaders and the European Central Bank (ECB) will take action to protect the euro from the region's debt crisis.

Faced with Facebook, Starbucks and Angela Merkel, the US stock market has chosen to focus on Merkel.

The debate over the proposed James Price Point gas hub looks set to dominate the battle for the seat of Kimberley in next years election.

The Australian share market has closed at its strongest level in a week after a pledge by the European Central Bank (ECB) to preserve the euro underpinned renewed investor confidence.

Two overseas airlines involved in price-fixing have reached settlements worth millions of dollars with the Commerce Commission.

A fall in the annual rate of price inflation to a 13-year low surprised many Australians worried about cost of living pressures.

 Intrepid Mines has posted a first half loss of $US31.97 million ($A30.86 million) as it aims to resolve joint venture problems and legal issues at its Indonesian operations.

The Australian share market has opened more than three quarters of a per cent higher.

Premier Colin Barnett says state-owned enterprises are the only Chinese firms large enough to invest in Australia.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent higher on comments suggesting the European Central Bank (ECB) could take a greater role in curbing euro zone debt.

US stocks have soared, buoyed by a pledge from Europe's top central banker to do everything possible to save the eurozone from a raging sovereign debt crisis.

The Australian dollar is one US cent higher on hopes of a lasting solution to the euro zone government debt crisis.

 The Australian share market closed stronger as investors snapped up industrial stocks amid renewed hopes for a potential solution to the European debt crisis.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has accused Julia Gillard of being inflexible in talks with states and territories over the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

 Proposed amendments to the living away from home allowance (LAFHA) will affect more than a "narrow group of people" as described by Treasurer Wayne Swan, a federal parliamentary hearing has b

The head of one of Australia's retail giants fears there is no end in sight to the nation's consumer gloom, despite its flagship Coles supermarket boasting a hefty full year sales increase.

Caltex Australia insists its decision to close its Sydney oil refinery and turn it into an import terminal at a total cost of $680 million is necessary to secure the company's future.