Financial Services

The Australian dollar has fallen below 89 US cents for the first time in four months as expectations about an upcoming US Federal Reserve announcement continue to weigh on the currency.

Twenty years after being established in controversial circumstances, insurance broking firm Strathearn is eyeing some big potential changes.

The Australian share market has finished slightly higher as defensive stocks performed well after the release of the government's budget update.

The Australian share market is making early gains led by the banks following jumps in stocks in the US and Europe overnight.

US stocks have jumped following a strong report on US industrial output that came a day before a much-anticipated US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, trading in a tight range, ahead of announcements from the Australian and US central banks.

The Australian share market has closed lower ahead of the US Federal Reserve's last meeting for 2013.

The Australian stock market has started the week lower amid a selloff in banking and resources stocks.

US stocks have spent most of 2013 on an upward tear but they spent most of last week in retreat.

The Australian dollar is higher, as it goes into stabilisation mode after falling 1.5 per cent last week.

The Australian share market has broken a six day losing streak as bargain hunters picked up the banking and mining stocks that had fallen in value the past week.

Australians are the most generous in the world when it comes to inheritance, leaving more than half a million dollars to their children.

Australian shares appear to be snapping a seven-day losing streak, led by the big banks.

US stocks have closed lower after a surprisingly good retail sales report boosted speculation that the US Federal Reserve could soon scale back its stimulus program.

The Australian dollar is at a three-and-a-half month low following strong US retail data and after the Reserve Bank of Australia governor said he wanted the dollar around 85 US cents.

Australian stocks have fallen for a sixth straight day with investors appearing to book profits after a good year and recent negative economic news.

ThinkSmart shares have shot up 39 per cent upon its announced agreement to sell its Australian and New Zealand businesses to financial services company FlexiGroup for $43 million to shift focus to its operations in the United Kingdom.

Australian stocks have defied a negative lead from Wall Street to start the local session slightly higher.

US stocks have tumbled in a decline that analysts attribute to profit-taking after the equity market surge of 2013.

Gold prices have slipped after a bipartisan US budget deal soothed fears of a year-end budget crisis, sapping some of the recent investor appetite for the haven asset.

The Australian dollar is lower on expectations that the unemployment rate will edge higher and amid increased expectations that tapering of US economic stimulus will begin soon.

Engineering and construction company VDM Group will look to strengthen its balance sheet through an $18.7 million capital raising, with the company's major shareholder H&H Holdings contributing $9 million to the finance boost.

Australian shares have weakened for the fifth consecutive session after a key consumer sentiment reading fell to a five-month low.

Australian shares are marginally weaker as a lacklustre lead from Wall Street weighs down the big miners and some banking stocks.

US stocks have ended lower as investors looked ahead to a retail sales report that covers the beginning of the critical holiday shopping season.

The Australian dollar is higher on the back of US dollar weakness and strong economic data out of China.

The Australian share market has closed almost flat, with investors running out of steam after a strong start.

The Australian market was making gains in a surprisingly strong start in trading after a flat open had been tipped.

The Australian dollar is higher amid strong data out of the US and China and a more optimistic global economic outlook.

US stocks have edged higher as a Federal Reserve official suggested that the central bank could take a small step next week to reel in its stimulus program.

Australian shares have lost ground after insurer QBE flagged that it would post a $250 million loss for calendar 2013, prompting shocked investors to wipe more than $4 billion from the value of one of the ASX's 20 biggest companies.

The Australian share market is slightly lower as investors put aside good US jobs figures and strong Chinese trade data and focus on a shock profit warning from insurer QBE.