AAP

Global mining giant Xstrata has appointed a new chairman amid speculation the shift will pave the way for a merger with commodities giant Glencore.

Australian stocks have opened lower, dragged down by the materials and gold sector as market players defied a positive offshore lead.

The Australian dollar opened lower this morning, off the back of softening commodity prices and a weaker euro.

Financial companies pushed stock indexes higher on Tuesday on signs that large banks may soon raise their dividends.

Conoco hopeful of compromise on Browse drilling – The Fin; Bonanza for Northern Star – The West; Threat of rate rises as boom heats up – The West; Law firm on poaching mission – The West; Farmers slam milk price war – The Aus

If Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens' post-board meeting statement last Tuesday appeared bland, it was probably to convey to borrowers that they shouldn't be worried about another interest rate rise just yet.

The Australian share market clawed back earlier losses to close flat as bargain hunters took advantage of oil-induced weakness to buy back into stocks.

Quotas for women on company boards would be tokenistic and won't improve executive diversity, the organisation representing company directors says.

A Chinese state-owned uranium firm has launched a takeover bid for Extract Resources' largest shareholder, Kalahari Minerals.

Militant West Australian unionist Joe McDonald has had his appeal against a $8000 fine for taking unlawful strike action at a Perth construction site dismissed in the Federal Court.

Australia set a new natural gas production record in 2010, while the value of liquefied natural gas exports also hit fresh highs.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has praised Prime Minister Julia Gillard for taking a "gutsy" stance on climate change despite popularity for the government sinking to record lows.

Rare earth miner Lynas Corporation says it may sell its Crown polymetallic deposit at Mount Weld in Western Australia to Forge Resources, but that any transaction would not be material.

Dairy industry representatives have called for the competition watchdog to investigate how supermarket operators set prices for milk.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she can convince the public to come around on carbon pricing.

The Australian share market opened lower today, as rising oil prices continue to threaten economic recovery by pushing up manufacturing and transport costs.

US stocks sank Monday as Libya veered toward civil war and unrest continued to roil across Arab countries, driving crude oil above $106 a barrel in New York.

The Australian dollar opened lower this morning, after Greece's debt was downgraded below junk status by rating agency Moody's.

Shell keen to drill off proposed heritage reef – The Aus; Scheme liquidators hamstrung – The West; Unions demand back pay to 'slaves' – The West; ASX faces another threat as rival seeks licence – The Fin; Orica moves on Burrup purchase – The Aus

Almost 100 dairy producers, shop owners and organisations are rallying against a decision by the major supermarket chains to slash the cost of milk.

The Australian sharemarket closed lower on Monday as uncertain investors deserted miners and financial stocks, leading the market downwards.

The Australian economy is not doing too badly, but it is hardly breaking any speed records.

Nine Entertainment has sold its 49.1 per cent stake in website operator Carsales.com for $565.5 million.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will push for a better deal for Australian exporters when she meets with US President Barack Obama at the White House.

Petrol prices rose to a near 29-month high in the past week, and motorists should prepare for fuel to rise by another four cents a litre in the next fortnight, an economist says.

Australian construction activity contracted for the ninth consecutive month in February amid tight credit conditions, weaker demand and higher interest rates, a report says.

Lower milk prices won't hurt the dairy industry, supermarket Coles says.

The number of jobs advertised online and in newspapers rose for the 10th straight month in February, suggesting demand for labour is accelerating reconstruction in Queensland continues.

The Australian share market followed Wall Street lower on Monday as oil prices surged on continued political tensions in the Middle East and several local stocks traded without a dividend.

Shares in Ramelius Resources rose after it reported high-grade gold results from deeper drilling its Wattle Dam mine in Western Australia and was admitted to the S&P ASX 300 index.

Crescent Gold has downgraded its third quarter gold production forecast after flooding hampered its Laverton mine in Western Australia.

Hong Kong-based Wah Nam International Holdings has extended its parallel takeover bids for West Australian iron ore explorers Brockman Resources and FerrAus by one month.