AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised no one by leaving the cash rate unchanged on Tuesday, but economists expect rate rises in the near future.

January retail trade figures were better than expected, helped by a rise in food sales and a recovery in department store sales, economists say.

Federal Labor MPs have joined the opposition, the Australian Greens and independent members in voicing concerns about the milk price war being waged by major supermarkets.

Centro Properties Group has confirmed it will sell all its United States assets and look to merge all Centro properties into one fund as part of a restructure aimed at returning value to shareholders.

Borrowers are likely to face two interest rate increases this year, but an imminent move is extremely unlikely given the impact of this summer's natural disasters.

Australian manufacturing began to expand in February for the first time since August last year, a private survey shows.

More than 20,000 residents in Perth's north and east remain without power after a severe thunderstorm brought down powerlines and trees, and tore off roofs.

The Australian sharemarket has opened higher with a positive lead from overseas and commodity markets buoying local resource and financial stocks.

The Australian dollar has opened slightly higher following a battery of mixed US data overnight.

Stabilising oil prices and signs that the US economy may be improving pushed stock indices higher on Monday.

Rio rejects Forrest's boast over rail access – The Aus; Rivals see two sets of results – The Fin; Independent grocers join milk price war – The West; Union boss softens on shop hours – The West; Oswal's 'ego' behind fight for jet – The West

The Australian sharemarket closed flat after corporate reports from the tail end of the earnings season failed to inspire investors, who remained concerned about Middle East turmoil.

Iron ore pellet producer Grange Resources has booked a first half net profit of $85.2 million due to higher prices for the product.

If a tax is put on carbon, 34,000 jobs will bloom from the clean energy boom - 1,000 in Western Australia - research from The Climate Institute shows.

Filipinos are working at "near slave labour" rates for a Danish shipping company on the North West Shelf, the Australian Workers Union says.

Perth house prices fell 1.5 per cent in January, amid a national fall of 1.6 per cent that further dampened growth as natural disasters swept across the nation, a survey shows.

Western Australia's consumer protection watchdog has warned of bogus charity collectors using the Christchurch earthquake as a way to scam people out of money.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources has more than tripled its first half net profit after a four-fold rise in revenue from gold sales.

The West Australian opposition has urged Premier Colin Barnett to grant the Oakajee port and rail consortium an extension and stop acting like a dictator.

Australia's economic growth most likely picked up pace in the December quarter after the September quarter recorded the smallest rise in three years, economists say.

The boom in the natural gas sector will lift Australia's prosperity and aid the clean energy debate, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says.

Moly Mines says it has managed to beat expectations for its Spinifex Ridge iron ore mine ramp-up, despite lost time caused by wet weather.

Mining contractor Barminco says it has secured a $50 million capital injection from investment house Goldman Sachs and commenced a strategic review amid mounting speculation it could be sold or floated.

The Australian sharemarket opened flat today as investor worries about Libya's turmoil outweighed positive US leads from Friday.

Listing on the cards as Barminco tops up coffers – The West; Food giant joins franchise fight – The Fin; Shortfall predicted for WA gas supply – The Fin; Forrest, Turnbull and Wran back Winmar – The Aus; Doubts over developer – The Fin

Engineering firm Downer EDI has reported a first half net loss of $103.81 million, as it seeks $279 million in new capital to help deal with the impact of the troubled Waratah train project.

US stocks rose Friday as oil prices stabilised following a recent jump, but the escalating turmoil in Libya still left major indices down about two per cent for the week.

The Australian dollar was higher on Monday, as market tension eases over the political crisis in oil-rich Libya.

Transfield Services says it is on track to deliver underlying profit growth even though it booked a 65.2 per cent plunge in first half net profit due to one-off costs.

A rise in Western Australia's share of GST revenue is only "kind of good news" and is expected to drop dramatically in future, the state's treasurer says.

The Australian dollar was higher today as rising oil prices weakened the US dollar amid ongoing concerns about the political crisis in Libya.

The Australian share market closed slightly firmer today, but turned in its worst weekly performance since mid August, as investors mulled over the finish to the profit-reporting season.