Financial Services

The Australian market closed higher after investors received a glimmer of hope that US politicians may be able to negotiate to avoid falling off the "fiscal cliff".

The Australian market opened higher on fresh hopes that US political leaders may work together to avoid sending the economy off the fiscal cliff.

US stocks have remained locked in a six-week slide under clouds from the global and domestic economy and worries that more political infighting will send the country over the fiscal cliff.

Hartleys, Argonaut Securities and Amscot Stockbroking have been honoured as Perth's top broking and advisory firms at the inaugural Western Australian Capital Markets Awards.

The Australian dollar is lower amid negative sentiment from the US and Europe and concerns over the growing conflict in Israel.

The head of Cash Converters says a "first strike" delivered against the company's pay report on Friday is peculiar, given that shareholders approved executive share bonuses two years ago.

The Australian share market closed lower as the global picture became more uncertain following negative leads from Europe and the United States.

The Australian dollar is overvalued by as much as 10 US cents and is likely to stay that way for the next couple of years.

The Australian share market has opened flat with investors appearing cautious due to negative leads out of Europe and the US.

The International Monetary Fund has given the Australian economy a "big tick" in a new assessment, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

US stocks zig-zagged around the break-even line in volatile trade on Thursday before ending slightly lower, pulled down in part by Walmart's disappointing earnings.

The Australian dollar has followed global share markets lower to finish the day down almost one US cent.

The stockbroker who brought about the demise of Perth firm Hogan and Partners has pleaded guilty to fraudulent activity totalling more than $7 million.

The Australian stock market closed almost one per cent lower following steep falls on Wall Street.

The Australian market is more than three-quarters of a per cent lower after Wall Street plunged overnight.

Qantas Airways will spend $100 million to buy back about four per cent of its issued stocks in a move to strengthen its dwindling share price.

US stocks tumbled on Wednesday as President Barack Obama challenged Republicans to accept tax increases for the wealthy in a deal to avert the year-end fiscal cliff.

The Australian dollar is almost half a US cent higher on improved consumer sentiment and weakness in the greenback.

The Australian market ended a four-day run of losses to close higher, driven by large financial sector stocks.

The Australian market was flat in early trade in the absence of any clear offshore leads.

US stocks closed lower on Tuesday as worries about Greece's debt crisis and the US "fiscal cliff" took the shine off strong quarterly results from home-improvement giant Home Depot.

The Australian share market has closed sharply lower after its biggest one-day fall in four months.

Australia's business sector has weakened further in the last quarter of 2012, with a survey showing conditions slumping to their lowest point in more than three years, and lending finance up for th

Australian shares opened slightly lower following lacklustre trading on European markets and Wall Street.

US stocks closed flat on Monday as persistent fears about the looming "fiscal cliff" of spending cuts and tax hikes at year-end cast a cloud over encouraging China trade data.

Australian shares have closed lower, dragged down by weakness in the mining and energy sectors.

The federal government has appointed Chris Jordan as commissioner of taxation for a seven-year term starting in January 2013.

Shares in global insurer QBE have fallen sharply after the company downgraded its earnings expectations in the wake of superstorm Sandy in the United States.

A rise in monthly home loan data shows Australians are beginning to take advantage of interest rate cuts.

The corporate watchdog has launched a campaign to reunite Australians with $677 million in unclaimed money.

The Australian market opened lower as investors waited for signs that the US would be able to avoid the looming fiscal cliff.

US stocks ended a roller-coaster week lower, hitting a big election-day rally Tuesday only to plunge after President Barack Obama defeated Republican challenger and Wall Street ally Mitt Romney.