Australian stocks plunged to two-month lows, led by the resources sector, with $32 billion wiped from the value of the market as Greece's problems kept investor confidence at depressing lows.The benchmark ...

BHP Billiton chairman Jacques Nasser says the global miner will not spend the $80 billion on growth projects that it said it would, stepping back from previous commitments.Mr Nasser, speaking in Sydney, ...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Wednesday:BHP - BHP BILLITON LTD - down $1.37 - or 4.04 per cent - at $32.49BHP Billiton chairman Jacques Nasser says the global miner will ...

Virgin Australia says it has started trialling the use of biodiesel to power some ground vehicles at Brisbane Airport.The fuel for the eight-week trial will contain 80 per cent conventional diesel and ...

US giant General Electric (GE) aims to increase its presence in the booming resources sector through a $700 million friendly takeover for Australian mining equipment-maker Industrea.Industrea shares jumped ...

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings has warned of lower earnings in 2012, sending its shares plummeting.Toll on Wednesday announced writedowns on its freight operations in Japan and some of its ...

Victorian electricity and gas distributor SP AusNet's full year profit has risen to $253 million due partly to higher electricity prices.SP AusNet distributes electricity to about 642,000 customers in ...

Australian stocks were down close to two per cent at noon with the resources-linked sectors doing it toughest on a day of broad-based declines.At 1203 AEST on Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index ...

A company building a $350 million expansion of Ararat Prison in central Victoria has gone into liquidation, with the loss of hundreds of jobs.St Hilliers Ararat Pty Ltd was part of a consortium contracted ...

Australian stocks have opened more than one per cent lower amid broad based declines as local market players took their cues from a poor night on Wall Street and ongoing troubles in Europe.At 1028 AEST ...

A summary of trading in key commodities markets overseas:ENERGYWorld oil prices have closed the day mixed as dealers balanced better-than-expected euro zone economic growth figures with rising concerns ...

Treasury boss Martin Parkinson has argued the case for bringing the federal budget back to surplus.He says the return is happening in Australia in a much healthier economic environment than in many other ...

Australian stocks fell to a weaker close, dragged down by heavy losses among the resource stocks.Investors worried about political and financial instability in Europe, including the future of the euro ...

The central bank has given no hints as to whether it will cut interest rates again after this month's easing that was prompted by slower growth, a weaker housing market and falling inflation.The Reserve ...

Industry veteran Richard Cottee has taken up the reins as chief executive at conflict-ridden Central Petroleum, saying it's the company's massive exploration acreage that appeals to him.Mr Cottee takes ...

There's concern New Zealand's ideas and innovations may be at risk following an agreement signed in China.

Australian shares closed slightly higher, driven by gains in the telecommunications and financial sectors.At the close on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 11.9 points, or 0.28 per cent, at ...

The Reserve Bank has warned that the resources boom will not continue indefinitely and that it was still important for the nation to invest in training and education for its workforce.RBA deputy governor ...

Coalworks has urged its shareholders to reject a $142 million takeover offer from Whitehaven Coal because it undervalues the company.Whitehaven launched a cash bid for Coalworks last week, days after completing ...

Australian shares were slightly higher at noon as the local market bounced back despite falls on Wall Street and European stocks.At 1200 AEST on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 6.8 points, ...

Local stocks have opened firmer with market players buoyed by the Chinese central bank's actions to support lending in one of Australia's key trading partners.At 1025 AEST on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 ...

Chevron Australia says it has signed a deal to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its Wheatstone project to a Japanese firm.The managing director of the oil giant's Australian unit Chevron Australia, ...

The Australian share market has closed lower, after some bad news about the largest bank in the US, JPMorgan Chase, spooked investors.On Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 10.5 points, or ...

The NSW government has given the nod to AGL Energy's controversial plan to build a $310 million gas storage facility at Tomago near Newcastle.The project is to be built within the Tomago Sandbeds Catchment ...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Friday:ANZ - ANZ BANKING GROUP LTD - down 11 cents at $22.04ANZ has trimmed its standard variable home loan and business lending rates by 37 ...

Mining magnate Clive Palmer says the termination of a $40 billion contract won't affect the viability of his China First coal mine in central Queensland.Mr Palmer says his company terminated the coal supply ...

Australian shares have fallen at noon after a sluggish week of trading on the local market.At 1208 AEST on Friday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 16.2 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 4,279.4 points, ...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Friday:ANZ - ANZ BANK - down 13 cents at $22.02Anz Bank expected to make an interest rate announcement on Friday following lowering of official ...

The Australian dollar has fallen as concerns linger around the Greek political situation.At 0700 AEST on Friday, the local unit was trading at 100.82 US cents, down from 101.18 cents on Thursday.Better-than-expected ...

Leighton Holdings has been awarded $800 million in gas and water infrastructure contracts in Queensland.Leighton on Thursday said it expected the contracts, awarded by Australia Pacific LNG, would create ...

hold for goldBy Trevor ChappellMELBOURNE, May 10 AAP - The Australian share market has closed higher, boosted by a better-than-expected unemployment rate and expectations that another cut to interest rates ...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Thursday:AMP - AMP LTD - up five cents at $4.08The head of one of Australia's biggest financial services companies is warning the federal government ...

Mining giant Rio Tinto has flagged cutting some of its multi-billion dollar Australian expansion projects amid soaring costs.The company's chief executive Tom Albanese said at the company's annual general ...