AAP

Rio Tinto is closing its Cape Lambert and Dampier ports in Western Australia's Pilbara region to prepare for a low-pressure weather system that could become a tropical cyclone on Wednesday.

The Australian share market has closed flat as investors gave a muted response to the Bank of Japan's plan for a more expansionary two per cent inflation target.

Businesses' enthusiasm to invest has sunk to its lowest level in at least 15 years against the back drop of a high Australian dollar and soft growth in non-mining sectors of the economy.

A contract worker at BHP Billiton's coal mine in Indonesia has been killed, bringing production to a halt.

The Australian share market is trading marginally higher as investors wait to see if the Bank of Japan will move to stimulate the Japanese economy.

Rio Tinto had no option under Labor's Fair Work laws but to resume bargaining with the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) in Tasmania, coalition senator Simon Birmingham says.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher as investors await the outcome of a Bank of Japan policy meeting.

Shares in Macmahon Holdings have soared more than 15 per cent after the mining contractor sealed a $1.8 billion deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

European share prices have risen, with London hitting a near five-year high in light trading amid a public holiday in the United States, although the luxury goods sector was tarnished by a gl

The Australian dollar is slightly higher ahead of news from a meeting of Japan's central bank.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher following a firm finish by United States markets on Friday.

Official inflation figures on Wednesday could prove the final trigger for another interest rate cut when the central bank holds its first board meeting of the year on February 5.

Iron ore has been BHP Billiton's highest-earning commodity for a while but the continued resurgence of the petroleum division is expected to be displayed this week.

Economists believe consumer prices rose modestly in the December quarter, but not slowly enough to lock in another interest rate cut for Australian homeowners.

Shares in Sims Metal Management have slumped after the company warned of possible fraud at two of its British businesses.

The Australian stockmarket has opened flat as investors gave a lukewarm response to US Congressional Republicans agreeing to temporarily raise the debt ceiling.

US stocks ended mostly higher Friday helped by news that Republicans might give way to a short-term rise of the debt ceiling to avoid a new crisis, but poor earnings from Intel pulled the Nasdaq lo

The Australian dollar has fallen back slightly after an earlier rise on strong Chinese growth data.

The Australian market has closed higher propelled by climbing Rio Tinto shares after its chief Tom Albanese resigned in the wake of the miner's billion worth of write downs.

Fund managers controlling high proportions of Australians' savings have shifted large amounts of money out of cash and bonds and into the share market in recent months.

The Australian market is higher as news of Rio Tinto chief Tom Albanese's resignation drives up mining stocks.

The Australian dollar has opened higher after some positive US economic data and a rally on global equity markets lifted demand for the currency.

US stocks have closed solidly higher after US data pointed to an improving employment and housing picture.

News Limited has agreed to sell its online business directory TrueLocal to Telstra's advertising and directories arm Sensis.

Paladin Energy's efforts to make its operations more efficient has put the uranium miner in a good position to meet its full year production forecast.

Australian shares have closed at a fresh 19-month high as firming expectations of a February interest rate cut helped banking stocks.

Treasurer Wayne Swan is on his way to the United States for a meeting with Federal Reserve officials to discuss the state of the world economy.

Mineral sands miner Iluka will cut production resulting in job losses after tough trading conditions led to a loss of nearly one-third in revenue in 2012 compared to the previous year.

Santos's production costs blew out by up to $50 million in 2012, highlighting the risks to its massive Queensland Gladstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Travellers will soon know how much it will cost to fly on a combined Qantas-Emirates network after the alliance received interim authorisation from the competition watchdog.

Woodside Petroleum has achieved a record 2012 production result and hopes to do even better this year as it develops more projects overseas.

Australian shares have opened flat as traders wait to see if the market surpasses a 19-month high reached after the New Year.