AAP

The Dow and S&P 500 have both closed at fresh records after the Republicans took power in both US Houses of Congress and lifted hopes for pro-business policies.

US oil futures have sharply rebounded from the prior day's dive after the US petroleum inventories report showed a smaller-than-expected increase in crude oil supplies.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a four-year low after the Republican win in the US midterm elections and as metal prices continue to slide.

Gold and silver prices have sunk to four-and-a-half-year lows, weighed down by a soaring US dollar and expectations of more stimulus from the world's largest economies.

Australian shares are slightly lower as investor caution weighs on some of the nation's biggest stocks.

Takeover target Transfield Services has upgraded its annual earnings guidance as it continues talks with Spanish predator Ferrovial.

BHP Billiton will start exporting oil out of the US, a practice banned since the 1970s oil crisis.

Engineering firm Downer EDI has lifted its full year profit target despite uncertainty around some of its major mining customers.

Sales at Westfield shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand have increased.

It may be a while before the official employment data will be fully trusted but other indicators show that things are looking a bit better for job seekers.

Business leaders' confidence in the Abbott government has slumped to the lowest level since the coalition won power, with almost two-thirds seeing no benefit in scrapping the carbon tax.

The Australian share market is lower as a large fall in commodity prices overnight weighs on the market.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has delivered a surprisingly strong $2.3 billion quarterly profit, putting paid to suggestions its best days are over.

Wall Street stocks have finished mostly lower following lacklustre US economic data and some disappointing earnings reports.

The Australian dollar is higher following the Reserve Bank's steady-as-she-goes statement after its monthly board meeting.

Oil prices have plunged, with Brent hitting a four-year low after Saudi Arabia slashes its export prices for the US market to counter demand for shale fuels.

Gold prices have fallen, as investors believe the European Central Bank will take further measures to boost the region's economy, after the Bank of Japan unveiled a fresh round of stimulus last week.

Most voters would support a rise in GST if the money went to health and hospitals, a new poll has found.

The share market has closed slightly higher as poor trade figures and an upward revision to recent unemployment figures muted the response to strong growth in retail spending.

Interest rates are unlikely to move any time soon with the Reserve Bank of Australia still concerned about the high Australian dollar.

Education provider Navitas says a rising number of foreigners are pretending to be students to get visas.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is having another stab at calculating its jobs figures, and the latest estimates will look a bit worse than the previous attempt.

Rising house prices and the release of new smartphones have tempted Australians out of spending hibernation.

The Australian share market is slightly higher following soft leads from overseas markets and as the nation prepares to mark Melbourne Cup day.

The Australian dollar has fallen to an almost three-week low after the release of weak local building approvals figures and Chinese manufacturing data.

US stocks have finished little changed following mixed economic data as markets paused after last week's records.

Oil prices have plunged late in the day, after reports that Saudi Arabia was slashing its export prices for the US market while hiking them for Asia.

Gold has extended its four-year low as the US dollar advanced against other currencies and stocks hit new record highs.

Australia's big four banks have made a record total profit of $28.6 billion as property prices continued to surge.

The share market has closed weaker as softer commodity prices hit the big miners and Woolworths delivered disappointing sales growth.

Shares in supermarket giant Woolworths have fallen in the wake of disappointing first quarter sales.

The share market is flat after Westpac's cash profit rise and supermarket giant Woolworths's sales figures failed to excite investors.