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Wall Street ended sharply lower on Friday, with the S&P 500 closing at its lowest in six months, as the US-Israeli war ‌against Iran entered its fourth week, deepening worries about inflation and the potential for higher interest rates.

Asian fuel diplomacy intensifies

Australia's stock market is trading at its weakest level in nine months after the Iran war and the resulting energy shock prompted multiple central banks to brace for higher interest rates.

Australia's share market is on track for a third week of heavy losses as oil prices and inflation concerns spiral due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Income pain amid grim productivity outlook

The Australian share market has sharply fallen to a nearly four-month low after oil prices spiked, gold prices plunged, rate cut hopes dimmed and the war with Iran intensified.

Australia's labour market eased a little in February, despite an extra 48,900 jobs added to the economy, according to official data.

Australia will have a single point of contact overseeing fuel supplies as regional areas face shortages, with the prime minister saying the nation is prepared.

Wall Street ended sharply lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held ‌US interest rates steady and projected only a single rate cut for the year.

States called in to fix fuel supply

Australia's share market has logged a second session of gains on easing oil prices, and as the Reserve Bank's recent split interest rate decision softened the outlook for future hikes.

Oil prices resumed their rise on Tuesday because of the war with Iran, but U.S. stocks held steadier this time around.

RBA warns of recession

The Australian share market has gained ground after the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates in a split decision that raised hopes the central bank might forgo third strike hike in May.

A drop in oil prices on Monday helped send the U.S. stock market to its best day since the war in Iran began.

APRA to ease lending rules for property and infrastructure

The Australian share market has fallen as the US-Israeli war with Iran dragged into its third week and hopes dimmed for a quick resolution.

Ambitious tax reform is being flagged by the federal treasurer as the Middle East conflict hits the economy and home owners brace for an interest rate hike.

Oil prices have surged to more than $US105 a barrel as Donald Trump urges allies to deploy warships to help escort ships through the blocked Strait of Hormuz.

CBA's $1b loan fraud threatens to spread to other banks

Australia's stock market has clocked a second straight week of losses and its worst fortnight since mid-2022 as the Iran war continues to crush investor sentiment.

Inflation set to hit ‘high 4s'

Australian shares have nosedived on reports Iran has attacked two oil tankers in Iraqi waters, snuffing de-escalation hopes and slingshotting crude prices skyward.

The US stock market remained calm Wednesday, even as the price of oil got back to rising.

Business News has ranked Western Australia's 100 largest privately owned businesses by revenue for the first time.

Lift ban on borrowing: big super

Australia's share market has defied a hawkish interest rate outlook to clock a second session of gains, as reports of a record release of crude reserves took the pressure off oil prices.

Wealthy superannuants will pay more tax on balances over $3 million after the Greens rolled over on demands to beef up the contentious new laws.

Firebrand senator Matt Canavan has taken over the leadership of the Nationals after edging out the deputy leader for the party's top job.

The US stock market held steadier Tuesday as Wall Street waited for the next signal on when the war with Iran may end.

CBA warns of AI risk to economy

Australia's share market has pared some early gains, after US government indications the Iran war might end soon couldn't sustain buying in the afternoon.