AAP

Mining giant Rio Tinto expects to sign an agreement to push ahead with the troubled $US20 billion ($A21.64 billion) Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

Australian stocks are weaker, with heavy falls by iron ore miners dragging down the overall market.

Oil prices moved modestly higher as the market found support from US gasoline demand hopes ahead of the looming summer-holiday driving season and the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

US stocks have finished higher after a choppy day of trade as investors weighed some solid retail earnings reports with mixed economic data.

The Australian dollar is higher but remains below 94 US cents after a quiet overseas trade.

Perth fashion icon Ruth Tarvydas has been found dead outside her apartment, according to WA Police.

Banks and resources stocks have pulled the Australian sharemarket lower following sell-offs overseas.

The board of food producer Goodman Fielder has unanimously recommended shareholders accept a sweetened $1.37 billion dollar takeover offer from two Asian firms.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings has agreed to pay $69.45 million to settle a shareholders dispute but maintains it did not mislead investors.

The Australian share market is weaker as disappointing European growth numbers overnight sent investors looking for safety.

The Australian dollar is lower, weighed down by disappointing euro zone economic growth figures.

Gold futures fell as investors reduced holdings of the precious metal amid signs that the US labor market continues to recover.

Stony outcrops to reap billions in gas royalties

US stocks have slumped after weak earnings from WalMart hit retail equities amid concerns that investors are shifting from stocks to bonds.

The Australian dollar has traded within a narrow range just below 94 US cents in the absence of any major economic news or data.

Ratings agency Moody's expects the Australian mining sector to continue to benefit from strong Chinese demand, despite slowing growth in the world's second largest economy.

The share market is slightly higher after a mixed session for the heavyweight banking and resources sectors.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is confident his first budget can survive a two-pronged attack from state premiers and the Senate.

The Australian share market has opened lower after US markets came off record highs.

Westfield has enjoyed a rise in retail sales across its global shopping centre chain.

The Australian dollar has backed away from a one-month high, as traders take profits.

US stocks have finished lower following mixed earnings and a surprising rise in producer prices, snapping a five-day winning streak for the Dow that included three straight record closings.

Oil prices have moved higher, lifted by a new decline in US oil inventories at the key Cushing storage hub and falling petrol stockpiles.

The Australian dollar passed 94 US cent for the first time in four weeks, helped by confidence in the Australian economy and a rally on Wall Street.

The share market has closed flat, with gains by two of the big four banks offsetting falls by their two rivals caused by the payment of dividends.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the federal government's plan to shift more responsibility to the states for education and health funding might be a ploy to get them to push for changes to the GST.

Mining giant Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron ore operations are producing ore more quickly than previously anticipated.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has lifted its third quarter cash profit almost 16 per cent to $2.2 billion.

The Australian dollar is higher, having shrugged off the tough federal budget and weaker economic data.

Oil prices have risen after the top US energy official suggested the United States could possibly move to ease its ban on crude exports.

The Dow and S&P 500 have edged to record closing highs for the second day in a row even as the Nasdaq fell on concerns technology stocks are overvalued.

About 800,000 businesses will benefit from a company tax cut from mid 2015 while miners stand to gain from exploration incentives announced in the federal budget.