A tapering of US central bank stimulus, weak Chinese data and the prospect of more local interest rate cuts has driven the Australian dollar lower this week.

Leading European stock markets slid by more than 1.5 per cent when opening after the Federal Reserve signalled a wind-down to its stimulus program.

News out of the US and China has sent the Australian dollar diving to its lowest point in two-and-a-half years on Thursday.

Telstra boss David Thodey says we are entering the Century of the Consumer, with rich pickings for Australia if we take better care of talent.

The Australian share market suffered its heaviest one-day loss since February, closing more than two per cent down on Thursday

Telstra boss David Thodey says he does not expect delays to the NBN rollout despite work being halted over asbestos contamination.

Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange at close on Thursday

Newspapers might be struggling in the online world but investors still sent shares in Rupert Murdoch's new publishing arm soaring on Thursday

Discounts by retailers and lower interest rates boost spending for a ninth consecutive month, according to figures from the Commonwealth Bank.

Ben Bernanke pushed the $A over the edge on Thursday but it was the gravity of low interest rates and falling commodity prices that pulled it down.

Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals will miss its iron ore shipments target for this year and a deadline to sell a stake in its port and rail infrastructure

A strong Australian dollar has done little to stop travellers from flying into Sydney from China and Singapore.

The recent decision by two Australian retailers to sign an accord protecting suppliers in Bangladesh

The Australian dollar is lower after being hit by weak Chinese manufacturing data and the prospect of the US winding back it economic stimulus program.

The competition regulator has issued its first fine to a publicly-listed company for failing to prominently display total minimum charges.

A survey shows China's manufacturing sector has contracted on weakening demand, adding to fears about the strength of the nation's economic recovery.

Australian shares are sharply lower on concerns over an end to the United States' massive economic stimulus program and Chinese data.

Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange at noon on Thursday

NSW Racing Minister George Souris has reached an in-principle agreement with Tabcorp to extend its exclusivity period for another 20 years.

Australian shares are weaker after concerns over an end to the United States massive economic stimuls program.

Election campaigns in Australia often seem to crystallise around the dire performance of a single economic indicator.

Ben Bernanke has ended weeks of speculation by saying the US Federal Reserve will likely pare back stimulus measures.

The Australian market looks set to open lower following sharp falls on Wall Street after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank expects to taper its bond-buying stimulus measure later this year.

The US dollar has surged against after the Federal Reserve signalled it was close to paring back its stimulus measures.

The Australian dollar has fallen below 93 US cents to a 33-month low as the US Fed signals its stimulus measures will end in a year.

Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday

Commodities news from around the world

US stocks have fallen after the Federal Reserve said it may taper bond purchases later in the year.

News from the world’s major stock markets

The US Federal Reserve has lowered its growth forecast slightly and slashed its inflation outlook.