AAP

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have edged higher while the Dow dropped, with the benchmark index hovering near record highs as investors parsed a mixed set of quarterly results from companies such as UnitedHealth and Bank of America.

The S&P/ASX200 finished 0.8 per cent higher and above 8,300 for the first time, after gains by major miners and the big banks.

A ban on debit card surcharges could come into effect from 2026, as part of efforts to ease costs for businesses and customers.

The ASX200 gained 0.5 per cent thanks in part to the big banks and mining giants, but WEB Travel Group plunged by more than a third after downgrading guidance.

The S&P 500 and Dow scored record closing highs on Friday (Saturday morning WST) with the biggest boosts from financial stocks after banks reported strong quarterly results while the latest inflation data supported expectations for a US Federal Reserve rate cut in November.

The ASX200 dropped 0.1 per cent on Friday but finished the week 0.8 per cent higher, more than recouping the previous week's losses.

Wall Street's main indexes closed lower on Thursday (Friday morning WST) as investors looked to higher-than-expected inflation and unemployment claims for indications on the health of the US economy and the path for interest rates.

The ASX200 has risen 0.4 per cent, with Arcadium Lithium soaring 39 per cent after the lithium company agreed to be bought by Rio Tinto for $10 billion.

Australia and China have effectively ended a years-long trade war after an agreement to end an import embargo on live rock lobsters.

Wall Street stocks advanced on Wednesday in the US, with the S&P 500 and the Dow scoring record closing highs after the release of Federal Reserve meeting minutes – and ahead of September inflation data and the earnings season.

The ASX200 has finished 0.1 per cent higher, with Rio Tinto announcing after the market closed that it would pay $10 billion to acquire Arcadium Lithium.

Wall Street's benchmarks finished up on Tuesday, recouping some of the previous session's losses, as investors bought back in to technology stocks and investors shifted their focus to upcoming inflation data and the start of third-quarter earnings season.

The ASX200 dropped 0.4 per cent, with iron ore giants losing ground after Beijing finally detailed plans to revive China's ailing economy.

Wall Street's three major indexes closed down around 1 per cent on Monday while Treasury yields rose, as traders tamped down bets for Federal Reserve interest-rate easing and worried about the Middle East conflict's impact on oil prices.

The ASX200 has finished 0.7 per cent higher with gains for retail banks along with lithium miners after a major takeover offer by Rio Tinto.

The Dow has posted a record closing high and the Nasdaq ended with a more than a per cent gain as a stronger-than-expected jobs report reassured investors who had worried the economy may be getting too weak.

The ASX200 fell 0.7 per cent on Friday after Joe Biden made an off-the-cuff remark suggesting Israel might attack Iran's oilfields.

Former Fortescue employees being sued by the mining giant have lost a legal bid to overturn searches of their homes and businesses.

American stocks have finished lower ahead of Friday's monthly US payrolls report and as investors kept a watchful eye on growing conflict in the Middle East.

The ASX200 has finished 0.1 per cent higher, with attention still focused on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The S&P 500 have ended little changed, with technology shares gaining but investors nervous about Middle East tensions and more US labour data due this week.

The ASX200 has dropped 0.1 per cent, with losses by consumer discretionary and tech companies outweighing gains by goldminers and oil producers.

Asia stocks sank early on Wednesday, catching up with the sell-off on Wall Street after Iran's ballistic missile strike on Israel provoked fears of a wider regional conflict, while crude oil pushed higher on the risk of supply disruptions.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng yet to open after holiday; US S&P 500 stock index futures weaken 0.16 per cent, after the cash index lost 0.9 per cent overnight.

The ASX200 dropped 0.7 per cent, snapping a three-day win streak after Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the US central bank was in no rush to cut interest rates.

Qatar Airways intends to acquire a quarter stake in Virgin Australia in a partnership the local airline calls a "missing piece" of its long-term strategy.

The S&P 500 has sputtered to a record high close, rebounding from a brief setback after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the US central bank is in no hurry to implement further interest rate cuts.

The ASX has again hit new intraday and closing record highs, with the local currency at its highest level since early 2023.

US stocks have closed mostly lower as investors digested a benign inflation report.

The ASX mining sector rose 9.4 per cent this week on the back of China's big stimulus measures, helping boost the bourse to a record high.

The owner of Dan Murphy's has started searching for a new CEO following the announced departure of its current leader who will leave behind a slowing business.

US stocks have closed higher as investors digested a jobless claims report for clues on the country's labour market.