Financial Services

Nickel and gold explorer Duketon Mines has outlined plans for a $6 million initial public offering in what will be just the second float by a Western Australia-based resources company this year.

Australian shares slumped on Friday, giving up most of the previous day's gains.

The share market has opened lower as the major miners and big four banks all post losses.

The Australian dollar has backed away from its two-month high as traders sell the currency and take profits.

The S&P 500 has edged to a new record as investors weighed solid economic data with ongoing violence in Iraq that pushed oil prices to a new nine-month high.

Andrew Forrest has purchased 1.75 million shares in iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group for about $7 million.

Australian shares have rallied after the US central bank decided to retain ultra-low interest rates.

The Australian share market is up on strong leads from the US after the Federal Reserve retained its policy of ultra-low interest rates.

The S&P 500 has bolted to a new record after the Federal Reserve kept its policy of ultra-low interest rates and did not accelerate the time-frame for raising them.

The Australian dollar is higher after the US Federal Reserve said economic growth would be slower than it previously expected.

The share market has fallen for a second straight day, due to a drop by energy stocks, including Woodside Petroleum, and weakness in the banking sector.

The share market has opened lower as the impact of Shell's reduced ownership of Woodside Petroleum dragged the energy sector down.

The Australian dollar has hit a one-week low after some negative comments on the local economy from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Wall Street stocks finished higher as investors weighed continued violence in Iraq with mixed US economic data and looked ahead to a Federal Reserve policy statement on Wednesday.

The head of BC Iron concedes the industry is apprehensive after iron ore prices fell to 2012 levels of $US89 per tonne.

Shares closed weaker as worries about Iraq and the sudden sale of nearly 10 per cent of Woodside shares weighed on the market.

The share market has opened lower after the iron ore price dropped to a two-year low and tensions in Iraq hurt overseas markets.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as concerns about political tensions in Iraq and eastern Europe weighs on the market's mood.

US stocks have finished a choppy day of trade slightly higher as investors weighed the Iraq crisis and merger news ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy decision.

The share market has recovered from early falls to close higher as investors brushed off worries about iron ore prices.

The Australian share market has opened lower as weak iron ore prices continue to weigh on mining stocks.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, weighed down by profit taking and a lower iron ore price.

US equity markets have finished the week with losses after a rising jihadist offensive in Iraq lifted oil prices to nine-month highs and stoked further concerns about Middle East stability.

Litigation funder Bentham IMF has recruited Ferrier Hodgson partner Andrew Saker as its new managing director, to replace company founder Hugh McLernon.

Tiger Resources has raised $20 million via a share placement earmarked for the expansion of its Kipoi copper mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Australian share market has closed at its lowest level in two months after escalating violence in Iraq spooked investors and falling iron ore prices continued to pressure mining stocks.

Australian stocks have fallen to a two month low as escalating tension in Iraq caused heavy falls on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar has hit a one month high, extending its gains after the release of solid employment figures.

Wall Street stocks have fallen decisively on escalating violence in Iraq that pushed US oil prices to their highest level in nearly nine months.

The Australian sharemarket has closed lower due to weakness in resources stocks and negative overseas leads.

Qantas has paid off $450 million in debt eight months early, leaving less debt to be repayed in the coming year.

The share market has opened lower due to negative offshore leads and a downgrade to global economic growth forecasts.