AAP

A second budget in the black will deliver a near $10 billion surplus as well as cost-of-living relief for struggling Australians dealing with increasing prices.

A second budget in the black will deliver a near $10 billion surplus as well as cost-of-living relief for struggling Australians dealing with increasing prices.

The ASX200 finished basically unchanged on the eve of the federal budget and ahead of a readout on US inflation later in the week.

Inflation will drop below three per cent by the end of the year, back within the Reserve Bank's target band, but there are further challenges ahead.

Gas companies and the big four banks all rose on the back of energy policy announcements and a hold in interest rates.

The federal treasurer acknowledges some people can't afford to have more children and is committed to helping families to do so, if that's what they want.

The ASX200 fell 1.1 per cent, with the consumer discretionary sector suffering its worst loss in 16 months on several trading updates.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti is expected to reveal a healthy but slimmer surplus and spending to fight inflation in the WA budget.

The ASX200 closed marginally higher across most sectors as a medical tech company recorded eight per cent growth in one day.

Price inflation has moderated as the supermarkets contend with criticism, including a government report that recommends breaking up the industry's big players.

The ASX200 finished up across the board after the Reserve Bank elected to hold fire on raising interest rates despite fears of lingering inflation.

Workers are being warned to be wary of cold callers using dodgy tactics to bait them into switching super products at the detriment of their retirement savings.

The ASX200 has finished up 0.7 per cent with gains led by property sector after a weak US jobs report renewed hopes for an earlier rate cut.

After two major public relations disasters, Optus has appointed a new chief executive following the departure of Kelly Bayer Rosmarin last year.

The ASX200 closed the day 0.6 per cent higher, with all sectors gaining ground, to finish the week 0.7 per cent higher from where it began.

US stocks have closed higher as investors digested comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

The ASX200 has finished 0.2 per cent higher as investors took a dovish view of the Federal Reserve chairman's comments on interest rates.

Rio Tinto says it's already on course to be one of the leading suppliers of copper as the board keeps its powder dry on trumping BHP's tilt at Anglo American.

Climate activists who protested inside Woodside's annual general meeting claim the WA premier defamed them to the media and have demanded an apology.

Misleading consumers and investors has never been an acceptable way to make money and faking green credentials is no different, the corporate watchdog warns.

Stronger-than-expected US wage data has again pushed back expectations for when the Federal Reserve might begin trimming interest rates.

The treasurer says Australia's foreign investment settings won't discriminate against certain countries, even as his reforms respond to geopolitical threats, the energy transition and shifts in the global economy.

High cost of living and tuition fees in Australia has knocked the country off the top spot in university rankings it shared with Canada, as uncertainty around government migration policy contributed to the fall.

The ASX200 has finished up 0.8 per cent, with every sector rising on the back of a tech-led rally on Wall Street.

A nickel explorer has formed a joint venture with two of Japan's industrial giants as Australia's allies move to secure long-term supplies of battery minerals.

The government claims it's anti-scam efforts are working after Australians' losses to scams declined for the first time in seven years.

The ASX200 has fallen 1.4 per cent as investors fear persistent inflation could convince the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates once more.

A study has found more than one-quarter of university boards are comprised of unelected corporate appointments, leading to calls for a governance overhaul.

The ASX200 gave up its gains to finish unchanged after a hotter-than-expected domestic CPI report made interest rate cuts less likely this year.

Australia's inflation rate has moderated further, despite coming in slightly above expectations at 3.6 per cent in the 12 months to March.

The ASX200 finished up 0.45 per cent, although goldminers, coalminers and uranium developers all ended well into the red.

The ASX200 climbed 1.1 per cent, with every sector in the green except for energy after the threat of war between Israel and Iran appeared to fade.