Perth finance house Euroz has reported a first-half loss as a result of weak conditions in its core stockbroking business and write-downs in the value of its listed investment companies.
The Australian dollar has slipped almost one US cent lower amid increasing speculation that the local currency may reach parity with its Kiwi counterpart.
Borrowers are leaping at the chance that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut its cash rate this year, with more of them looking for better home loan deals.
The Australian share market has fallen sharply as investors fretted about falling oil prices and speculation that financially-embattled Greece would quit the eurozone.
US stocks have tanked on worries about the eurozone and low oil prices as the euro hit a nine-year low against the US dollar and US crude slid below $US50 a barrel.
Former Bankwest managing director Jon Sutton has been appointed Bank of Queensland’s new chief executive, following the departure of Stuart Grimshaw in September last year.
Wall Street stocks have finished the first trading day of the new year little-changed following lacklustre US economic data and with many market participants still on holiday.