AAP

Economists say a larger-than-expected rise in inflation for the September quarter could encourage Australia's central bank to keep the cash rate steady at its next meeting.

Australian stocks have opened 0.7 per cent lower, outperforming the sharp declines from offshore markets during the overnight session.

Businesses have received some positive news as they head into the crucial Christmas sales period, in the form of a sharp rebound in consumer spending.

Poor earnings and forecasts from major US industrial firms have added to a global markets downturn to send US stocks plummeting, with DuPont losing 9.1 per cent on its earnings plunge.

The Australian dollar is marking time ahead of the release of key inflation data.

The local head of global fuel giant BP has warned that Australia is losing investment because it is increasingly expensive to do business and the federal government is failing to tackle the issue.

The Australian share market closed almost unchanged, as investors awaited key manufacturing data from China and more news on company earnings in the United States.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has ruled out Australia pursuing nuclear energy as an increasing number of states open the door to uranium mining.

Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood says the embattled media group has investigated a breakup of its assets and found the numbers didn't stack up.

Australia is ranked 10th in the world for the ease of doing business having jumped five places in the past year.

Oz Minerals says it remains on track to meet its full-year guidance despite posting a fall in copper and gold production during the September quarter.

Clothing and homewares supplier Pacific Brands says it is too early to tell if its financial results will improve upon last year's.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum is looking to expand its operations to Israel.

Ten Network Holdings has received a reduced offer for its outdoor advertising business Eye Corp from its private equity suitor.

The defence and resources sectors should introduce a "buy Australian" policy, a union says, amid a slump in Western Australia's manufacturing industry.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

A modest tightening in the federal government's budget position adds to the case for lower interest rates, but a reduction in November still hinges on another benign inflation reading.

Australia's ability to compete internationally is under pressure as business leaders struggle to engage with Asia.

A diminished sales forecast by industrial bellwether Caterpillar has clouded stocks, but a last-minute burst of buying pushed the Dow and S&P 500 barely back into the black for the session.

Amadeus Energy has announced a merger deal with UK-based Ecofin Energy, owners of Texas-based Lonestar Resources.

The Australian dollar is a third of a US cent lower as rising expectations of an interest rate cut in November put pressure on the currency.

Australian stocks have closed more than half a per cent lower, with the resources sector worst hit on a day of broad-based declines.

Winemaker Treasury Wines Estates says price increases, the release of more luxury wines and more promotional activities will help lift earnings in the second half of the financial year.

Businesses in the state's northwest have been reminded to make sure contingency plans are in place to protect workers during the cyclone season.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is introducing industry-wide reporting standards for mortgage-backed securities to boost investor confidence in the market.

The federal government has cut by a third the revenue it expects to receive from its controversial mining tax.

Australian small businesses that sell their goods and services online were 33 per cent more likely to have increased their profits in 2011/12, according to a report from American Express.

Rio Tinto says it has attracted strong interest from Asian and European buyers at its annual pink diamond sale.

The federal government is relying on optimistic economic growth forecasts to return the budget to surplus, a leading economist says.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, as a disappointing finish on Wall Street over the weekend prompted widespread selling at the start of the local trading week.

Shares in Sundance Resources have risen by almost six per cent after China's Hanlong Mining locked in deals securing loans to help it finance its $1.37 billion takeover of the iron ore company.

Western Australia is still the nation's economic powerhouse but a slowdown in the mining sector could lead to weaker spending and a softer jobs market.