AAP

Ports and rail operator Asciano has increased its first half profit by 74 per cent and forecast more earnings growth in the second half of the financial year.

Steel and mining group Arrium has fallen further into the red as the high Australian dollar and weak construction markets cause a massive writedown on its assets.

Shares in engineering construction firm Monadelphous have tumbled despite the group posting a record first half profit.

The Australian Greens will push for another inquiry into the mining tax to try to work out why the big resource giants aren't paying as much as expected.

Gold has moved lower, with volumes easing as US markets closed for the President's Day holiday, while a lower euro and flat European shares also hurt investor interest.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent lower after a meeting of G20 finance ministers helped fuel a continued sell-off in the Japanese yen.

Car parts retailer and logistics group Automotive Holdings has lifted its first half profit by a quarter and predicted a solid finish to the financial year.

The Australian share market has closed higher, led by the major banks.

Western Australia's financial ratings outlook remains negative, because of the boom state's mounting debt, as it spends big on infrastructure for a growing population and resources sector.

Australian small businesses face tough conditions and finished 2012 on a pessimistic note despite a series of interest rate cuts.

Union boss Paul Howes says Australia does not have a carbon tax - it has a fixed price on carbon.

Builder and developer Lend Lease has increased its first half profit by 39 per cent.

Private health insurer nib says its first half net profit has dropped, due to higher than forecast claims costs.

Clothing retailer Pacific Brands has returned to profitability, but says sales are weak and will remain so in the coming months.

The number of bureaucrats in Australia has dropped for the first time in more than a decade, a new analysis of jobs data shows.

Drilling company Boart Longyear has appointed Richard O'Brien, the outgoing boss of gold producer Newmont Mining, as its new chief executive.

The Australian share market is firmer as local earnings results overshadow a weaker finish on US markets.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart will be on the agenda at the Australian Workers' Union national conference.

BlueScope Steel has posted a $12 million loss for the first half of the financial year, and expects continuing improvement in its underlying profit.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank says interest rates on deposit accounts may be about to fall as other sources of funds become cheaper and more accessible for banks.

The Australian dollar is more than half a US cent lower after falls in gold prices and US stocks on Friday.

US President Barack Obama has called for quick congressional action designed to grow the US economy, create jobs and make the US a magnet for manufacturing.

One of the problems with labour productivity is that a fair proportion of the population just doesn't seem to understand what it is.

The Australian dollar continued its move higher after a rally in the yen helped push the US dollar lower.

Australian shares have closed flat, with the benchmark index holding above 5,000 points for a third day.

The Reserve Bank of Australia says the mining investment boom will peak sooner and at a lower level than previously expected.

Australian-based miner Perseus is looking forward to improved earnings and production results after its first half profit more than doubled to $32.5 million.

Australia's peak industry lobby group says more than one third of businesses plan to cut jobs in 2013.

Economists from two of Australia's largest banks say several more interest rate cuts are needed to support the economy in 2013 as the boom in mining investment peaks.

Australia's crop farmers are gearing up for a better than average harvest despite a summer of scorching heat, bushfires and widespread flooding.