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Australian shares have opened flat due to a lack of direction from the US after Wall Street was closed for a public holiday.

Heavily indebted iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has deferred $1.6 billion of spending on its expansion projects and cut “several hundred” jobs in a dramatic reaction to the sharp plunge in i

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to keep its official interest rate on hold when its board meets later this morning.

Europe's main stock markets have risen amid growing hopes the European Central Bank could unveil a bond-buying program later this week, while investors digested poor manufacturing data.

Petrol prices appear to have topped out after rising sharply over the past few months to a 13-week high, and could ease a little further over the next couple of weeks, Commonwealth Securities says.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh five-week low on concerns about global growth.

Construction group Global Construction Services has announced a $32.1 million capital raising plan to reduce its debts and provide additional capital to achieve a 20 per cent growth target over the

The Australian share market has finished slightly higher, as investors positioned themselves ahead of key announcements from overseas.

Forge Group has won a $280 million contract to build a gas turbine power station for Rio Tinto at the Cape Lambert port in the Pilbara.

A fall in company profits for the past three quarters points to a broad-based slowing of the economy in the months ahead.

Troubled developer Port Bouvard has appointed Azure Capital to assess its strategic options in the wake of a loss of $103.5 million for the 12 months ended June 30.

Hundreds more Darrell Lea workers will lose their jobs after a deal was struck to sell the troubled chocolate maker.

Median home values in Perth fell by 1 per cent in August, while there was little movement across other capital cities, new research shows.

Shipping delays are expected at the commodities port of Geraldton as authorities prepare to shut down operations before a major storm buffets the area.

National Australia Bank shareholders are being urged to join a class action relating to its 2008 heavy losses over toxic US subprime home loans.

Gold miner Newcrest has renewed loans worth a total of $US2.5 billion ($A2.4 billion), extending its repayment dates for up to five years.

The corruption trial of former Western Australian premier Brian Burke has been put on hold pending discussions between defence lawyers and the prosecution.

The state government has unveiled the proposed route for its light rail system, with nearly $12 million of state funds committed to fine-tune the plan.

Qantas should not be written off as it remains a very strong national carrier and is addressing problems with its international service, Tourism Australia boss Andrew McEvoy says.

Hancock Prospecting chair Gina Rinehart caused a stir last week when she suggested the minimum wage be cut and called for people who are jealous of the wealthy to socialise less and work harder.

Job advertisements have fallen for the fifth consecutive month, marking the weakest trend since late 2011.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a fresh six-week low after the release of weaker-than-expected retail data.

The state's peak business body has tipped the state's two-speed economy to become more pronounced, with conditions outside of the resources sector to get more challenging as business investmen

Retail spending has slumped as shoppers kept away from department stores in big numbers and the effect of government handouts wore off.

A private measure of inflation has posted its largest monthly increase in almost 18 months but very little is from the carbon tax.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, as disappointing Chinese economic data and a slew of companies that started trading without a dividend pushed the market lower.

The demand for skilled workers has risen to its highest level in 12 months, but poor consumer and business confidence was slowing the recovery, research shows.

US stock markets got a good bump on Friday from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's much-awaited endorsement of more stimulus action, but still ended lower on a week of lacklustre end-of-summer

Falling iron ore prices helped push the Australian dollar to its lowest level in five weeks, amid concerns about the outlook for commodity prices.

Regional airline Skywest says it is confident of further growth despite notching a fall in net profit for the year ended June 30.

Profit season 2012 was a bit like many State of Origin rugby league matches - tough, bruising and a couple of big hits - but not as bloody as predicted in the pre-game hype.

The Thai state-owned company responsible for the Montara oil spill off the coast of Western Australia three years ago has been fined $510,000 for its actions in relation to the disas