AAP

The ASX200 rose 1.1 per cent to finish above 7,800 for the first time after more talk of rate cuts as soon as June in the US and Europe.

The ASX200 has finished at its highest-ever level for the second time this month after Jerome Powell told Congress rate cuts are likely this year.

The treasurer says the upcoming federal budget will be a balancing act between fighting inflation and addressing a slowing economy.

The ASX200 finished 0.1 per cent higher even as official data showed the Australian economy slowed further in the fourth quarter.

The communications watchdog has fined Optus $1.5 million for not meeting obligations to an emergency services database.

The local share market has finished down 0.15 per cent, while Bitcoin and gold were close to breaking their all-time record highs against the US dollar.

Weaker sales figures in the retail sector are a warning sign ahead of national growth figures, the treasurer says.

The ASX200 has risen 0.6 per cent to finish above 7,700 for the first time amid optimism around global markets and risk-on sentiment.

The federal government is considering action against Facebook parent company Meta after it announced it would not renew deals with Australian news outlets.

Regional travellers and fly-in, fly-out workers face more flight disruptions as hundreds of Network Aviation pilots vow to extend a strike over a pay dispute.

The Australian share market has hit a record in intraday trading, before closing at its second-highest level after rallying all afternoon.

Ongoing macroeconomic headwinds have buffeted Harvey Norman's profits but the retailer insists its property portfolio keeps its balance sheet in good health.

The local share market has closed essentially unchanged after a cooler-than-expected inflation readout reinforced the case that the RBA is done with rate hikes.

The ASX200 finished 0.1 per cent higher amid strong gains for Coles, Reece and the banking sector.

In a bid to increase transparency and equality, the gender pay gaps at some of Australia's largest employers have been revealed for the first time.

After alternating between gains and losses all day, the ASX200 finished up 0.1 per cent despite losses in the energy sector.

As Australians continue to struggle with the price of groceries and mortgages, the government has urged senators to quickly pass its reformed tax cuts.

The Australian share market finished 0.4 per cent higher on Friday, following double-digit gains for Block, Aussie Broadband, Brainchip and Appen.

The local share market finished basically unchanged, as Fortescue, Qantas, Medibank Private, Tabcorp, Lovisa, Nine Entertainment and others reported earnings.

The ASX market has finished down 0.7 per cent as Woolworths plunged 6.6 per cent to a more than one-year low, while CSR soared on takeover speculation.

Westfield owner Scentre Group has reported a steep drop in full-year profit due to property valuations but the company's leader says income improved.

The local share market has finished 0.1 per cent lower as BHP, Sonic Healthcare, Sims, Humm Group and others reported first-half earnings.

Police have arrested climate activists allegedly blocking a road during a protest outside Woodside Energy's Perth headquarters, the Disrupt Burrup Hub says.

The local stock market has finished up 0.1 per cent, as gains for BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue and the banks outweighed a big fall for Lendlease stock.

Conditions are finally turning after a bumper few years for the labour market, with some fields to be hit harder than others.

The ASX200 has finished up 0.7 per cent after a big fall in US retail sales revived talk of midyear rate cuts.

US stocks have closed buoyed by hopes that a large fall in retail sales data may point to an earlier cut to interest rates.

The ASX200 has finished 0.8 per cent higher with Altium soaring on a takeover deal and Wesfarmers and Goodman Group also rising sharply.

Australia's jobless rate has lifted to 4.1 per cent in January, the first time the unemployment rate had been above four per cent in two years.

The local share market finished 0.7 per cent lower and the Australian dollar hit a three-month low following sticky US inflation figures.

Australia's biggest bank made $5 billion in profit in the first half, down three per cent from a year ago, in a result one analyst branded as "lukewarm."

The local bourse has closed 0.15 per cent lower, with gains by the retail banks outweighed by losses from Macquarie, James Hardie, CSL and Seek.