US stocks have posted solid gains following a big jump in US existing-home sales and a mixed bag of earnings reports from Boeing, McDonald's and others.
US stocks have mostly fallen but the Nasdaq stayed in positive territory as Israel's Teva announced a $US40.1 billion ($A51.92 billion) cash-and-stock bid for generic drug maker Mylan.
The Australian dollar has been knocked almost one US cent lower amid a stronger greenback and signals from the head of the Reserve Bank that another rate cut is possible.
Hartleys has lifted funds under management above $1 billion for the first time, a milestone that new chairman Ian Parker believes will help the stockbroking firm weather the current downturn in resources.
April 17 AAP - The Australian dollar hit a three week high amid further US dollar weakness and after the release of surprisingly strong local jobs data.
US stocks have finished barely lower following mixed earnings and lacklustre economic data as worries about Greece's finances returned to the forefront.
The share market has posted its first gain in four days, though stronger commodity prices were the main driver rather than a surprise drop in unemployment.
Nedlands-based Proteomics International Laboratories has made a solid debut on the ASX today, closing 2.5 cents above its issue price at 22.5 cents per share, with about 1.13 million shares changing hands.
The corporate watchdog has banned stockbroker Anton Kerstens from providing financial services for five years, following an investigation that found he had manipulated the share price of Perth-based uranium explorer Cauldron Energy.
