US stocks followed European equity markets lower, dropping sharply on signs of fresh tension during talks between Greece and its international creditors aimed at preventing a Greek debt default.
The Australian dollar is lower after the attention of global markets remained on Greece and its long-running debt negotiations, which stalled again overnight.
The Australian share market has closed slightly better than flat as a rise in overseas markets reflected optimism about a bail-out deal for debt-ridden Greece.
The Australian dollar has nudged lower against a firmer greenback following the release of positive US housing data and comments from the US Federal Reserve.
Australian shares notched up a third consecutive day of gains on global optimism about the Greek government striking a debt bailout deal to avoid leaving the eurozone.
The Nasdaq has ploughed to a fresh record as US stock markets followed European equity markets higher on increased optimism for a deal that could avert a Greek default.
The Nasdaq has powered to a fresh record, easily topping the prior all-time high in a broad rally that withstood signs that a Greek debt default could be moving closer.
Wall Street stocks have risen after the US Federal Reserve kept its near-zero benchmark interest rate unchanged and Chair Janet Yellen pledged a methodical approach to raising rates.
The Australian dollar is higher, buoyed by weakness in the US dollar which fell after the US Federal Reserve's meeting failed to spell out the timing of an interest rate hike.
US stocks have snapped a two-day losing streak, finishing solidly higher ahead of a Federal Reserve policy announcement expected to shed light on the timing of interest rate hikes.
Two telco companies that provide roaming services have begun their first day of trading on the ASX today, with Norwood Systems making solid gains while Flexiroam closed flat.
The Reserve Bank of Australia will keep a close watch on the economy in the coming months to assess whether more interest rate cuts are needed, as economic growth and business investment remain sluggish.
