More breaking news

• Gold up as investors brace for jobsGold rose on Thursday, settling slightly higher as investors set positions ahead of the key US employment report which may boost demand for safe-haven assets.
• $A opens higher on firm US dataThe Australian dollar has opened higher on positive US data and a move back towards riskier assets.
• Stocks to watchStocks of interest on the Australian Stock Exchange today.
• Oil prices rise on economic reportsOil prices ended higher on Thursday after an initial retreat as investors put a positive spin on reports about jobs, manufacturing and home sales.
• Australian Stock Market ReportNew US claims for unemployment insurance fell by 6,000 to 472,000 in the latest week, bettering forecasts centred on 475,000
• Aussie markets receive positive leadsThe Australian markets have received positive leads for the third consecutive day, with stronger performances in overseas markets overnight.
• Stocks rise on positive economic dataStocks rose and extended their gains, after reports on housing, manufacturing and jobs all indicated that the economy continues to grow.
• Bernanke says close unstable banksFederal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says regulators must be ready to shut the largest institutions if they threaten to bring down the financial system.
• $US lower before Friday's US jobs dataThe dollar fell against other major currencies on Thursday ahead of a key US jobs report.
• Smaller trade surplus impresses expertsThe $1.9 billion monthly trade surplus for July is impressive, even though it was well short of expectations and the record $3.4 billion posted in June.