Sharon Olalia

There are more job vacancies in the three months to August, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published today.

Hobart was the best-performing capital city in the three months to August, according to a leading supplier of commercial and residential property information services.

The Australian dollar dipped on Thursday noon after disappointing domestic building approvals data gave investors an excuse to sell into some of its recent hefty gains.

The Australian sharemarket is trading sharply lower at Thursday noon after receiving some mixed local data and negative leads overnight.

Australian home prices in August continued a downward trend since the market peaked in May, according to RP Data-Rismark's capital city home value index.

The surging Australian currency held ground to nudge closer to a 2008 peak on Wednesday noon, as US dollar weakness persists and traders balance concerns about global risk factors.

The Australian dollar hit its strongest against a broadly weaker greenback in more than two years on Wednesday as traders cited Asian demand for the Australian currency pushing it higher.

The Australian sharemarket closed lower on Wednesday after it was led down by a weak financial sector during afternoon trade.

An increasing number of older people are participating in Australia's labour force, fresh data shows.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has told parliament on Wednesday that the local economy was built on solid foundations and that Australia can be positive about its outlook.

Net overseas migration continued its downward movement to the end of March 2010, according to preliminary data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Australian stock market was slightly firmer at Wednesday noon, boosted by mining gains on the back of higher metals prices overnight.

Weak new home sales signal a need for steady interest rates, according to Australia's largest residential building organisation.

The Australian currency ran into profit-taking on Tuesday but hovered within striking distance of levels last seen in the 1980s as excitement over a possible domestic rate rise next week kept it well supported.

The Australian sharemarket still ended lower on Tuesday after clawing back most of its early losses.

The emerging nations are now in the driver's seat of the world economy, according to the chief executive of a major US investment firm at the Forbes CEO conference in Sydney on Tuesday.

Fisher Investments chief executive Ken Fisher described the present world economic conditions as similar to previous downturns.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has rejected an Access Economics prediction that the budget will slip back into deficit after a surplus in 2012/13.

The Australian currency continued to trade near a two-year high on Tuesday noon as a hawkish Australian interest rate outlook offset profit-taking.

The Australian bourse remained in the negative territory at Tuesday noon after receiving mixed leads from offshore trading overnight.

Chief executives remain positive about the prospects for the Australian economy, despite an inconclusive general election leaving the country in political limbo for days, according to fresh data released today.

The Australian currency finished near a two-year high on Monday, its high-yield appeal clearly working in its advantage amid growing speculation the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may lift domestic rates as soon as next week.

Australian stocks finished higher on Monday, touching a five-month high as banks surged and miners raced ahead on higher metal prices.

Treasurer Wayne Swan stressed the Gillard government has the right economic plan to address concerns that a second minerals and energy boom will create stark differences in economic prospects across states and even regions.

In defence to recent accusations her government was based on a lie, Prime Minister Julia Gillard explained it is not her fault that she may introduce a carbon tax.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) said business credit growth is set to resume in the next six months as a gradual pick-up in consumer spending flows through to the commercial sector.

The Australian currency traded near a two year high at Monday noon on rising equities in the region and a weaker greenback, but had drifted lower this morning's high as it consolidated.

The Australian sharemarket extended its gains at Monday noon, buoyed by financial and materials stocks and positive offshore leads from the US and Asia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's next move will be largely dependent on the Financial Stability Review (FSR) on Thursday.