Hong Kong shares have closed down 2.54 per cent following weak Chinese data.

Panic selling has seen Japanese shares plunge 7.3%, the biggest fall since 2011's tsunami disaster.

European stocks have dived in early trade after the Tokyo bourse plunged more than seven per cent.

Dulux and Cabot's paint and woodcare products will no longer be sold at the Masters and Danks hardware stores, DuluxGroup says.

Perth has an opportunity to become a major oil and gas technology hub following the lead of Stavanger in Norway and Aberdeen in Scotland

The Australian dollar has fallen to a one-year low against its resurgent US counterpart.

The Australian stock market suffered its biggest one-day fall in two months amid broad-based selling.

A major cleaning company has entered into voluntary administration, leaving its 2,500 workers scrambling to find new jobs.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a one-year low against its resurgent US counterpart.

Building products maker James Hardie expects the Australian housing market to remain flat to slightly higher over the year.

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

The Bank of Japan has announced a Y2 trillion fund-supplying operation after the yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond hit 1.0 per cent.

Accounting systems provider Xero has rewarded investors but it is still reporting losses as it expands offshore.

US stocks have opened slightly higher, ahead of congressional testimony by Federal Reserve head Ben Bernanke.

The Australian dollar has been pushed lower after the release of weak Chinese manufacturing data and comments from the US central bank chairman.

The Australian stock market was lower at noon amid broad-based selling.

Green groups are accusing the government of doing a swift deal in allowing an Australian company a new Buller coal mine in exchange for $22m.

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

An improving US economy and a higher greenback is pushing the Australian dollar to new lows.

Job cuts are expected at the nation's largest telco after Telstra unveiled a major restructure to its business units.

The Australian share market opens lower after US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke flagged a possible reduction of stimulus spending.

The Australian dollar fell more than one US cent after it was revealed that the US central bank has been talking about ending its stimulus program

The Australian market looks set to open lower after Wall Street finished down despite a morning rally during the early part of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress.

Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday

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News from the world’s major stock markets

The IMF has called on the British government to boost infrastructure spending to offset austerity and boost growth.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke warns against prematurely ending quantitative easing, but FOMC minutes show it's been considered.

European stocks have dropped amid poor British data and ahead of the testimony of the Fed chief to the US Congress.

The Australian dollar is lower following weaker consumer sentiment data.