AAP

Freight rail operator Aurizon says no extra jobs will be lost as it shrinks the size of its rail fleet and finalises the termination of a Queensland project.

Wesfarmers has announced its second significant asset sale this month, with the disposal of the Australian and New Zealand underwriting operations of its insurance business to Insurance Australia Group (IAG) for about $1.85 billion.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there's a good chance Toyota can be convinced to keep making cars in Australia - but it won't involve government handouts.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there's a good chance Toyota can be convinced to keep making cars in Australia - but it won't involve government handouts.

The Australian stock market has started the week lower amid a selloff in banking and resources stocks.

Gold futures have rebounded as traders who had bet on lower prices cashed out ahead of the weekend following data showing a decline in US producer prices.

US stocks have spent most of 2013 on an upward tear but they spent most of last week in retreat.

The Australian dollar is higher, as it goes into stabilisation mode after falling 1.5 per cent last week.

Woodside Petroleum boss Peter Coleman would love to pull off a big overseas deal and set his company up for years of strong growth.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reached a deal with the states and territories to cut red and green tape for major projects in a bid to boost the national economy.

The Australian share market has broken a six day losing streak as bargain hunters picked up the banking and mining stocks that had fallen in value the past week.

Australians are the most generous in the world when it comes to inheritance, leaving more than half a million dollars to their children.

The two guardians of the Australian economy are about to go under the spotlight.

Toyota management, unions and state and federal governments need to work together to ensure the car maker is able to continue its local manufacturing operations, Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says.

Australian shares appear to be snapping a seven-day losing streak, led by the big banks.

US stocks have closed lower after a surprisingly good retail sales report boosted speculation that the US Federal Reserve could soon scale back its stimulus program.

Oil prices have sunk in London on the expected return of Libyan crude to the market while US prices edged higher.

The Australian dollar is at a three-and-a-half month low following strong US retail data and after the Reserve Bank of Australia governor said he wanted the dollar around 85 US cents.

Australian stocks have fallen for a sixth straight day with investors appearing to book profits after a good year and recent negative economic news.

Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand will increase their stakes in Virgin Australia to almost 70 per cent as part of a $351.5 million capital raising.

The national unemployment rate has edged up to 5.8 per cent in November, despite the number of people in employment rising by 21,000 in the month, while Western Australia continues to maintain a much lower jobless rate.

A strategic review into the national broadband network (NBN) has recommended rolling out a mix of technologies, including fibre-to-the-premise, costing $11.5 billion more than the coalition's original forecast.

Federal coalition MPs have been told to brace for a "shocking" deficit when Treasurer Joe Hockey hands down his mid-year budget review.

Australian stocks have defied a negative lead from Wall Street to start the local session slightly higher.

US stocks have tumbled in a decline that analysts attribute to profit-taking after the equity market surge of 2013.

Gold prices have slipped after a bipartisan US budget deal soothed fears of a year-end budget crisis, sapping some of the recent investor appetite for the haven asset.

The Australian dollar is lower on expectations that the unemployment rate will edge higher and amid increased expectations that tapering of US economic stimulus will begin soon.

Oz Minerals has capped off a horror year with a disappointing update on its copper and gold reserves, which caused another share price plunge.

BHP Billiton is backing the US gas boom to continue and says exports from there could start within three years, which could be bad news for Australia's rival projects.

Australian shares have weakened for the fifth consecutive session after a key consumer sentiment reading fell to a five-month low.

Car maker Holden has confirmed it will stop manufacturing in Australia in 2017, bringing to an end months of uncertainty on the company's future, but its announcement has added to speculation about Toyota's future.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is still trying to find out what caused a toxic spill at its Rossing Uranium mine in Namibia - the company's second major radioactive incident this month.