ECONOMY

Australian petrol and diesel prices remain elevated amid global supply disruptions, putting pressure on households, transport operators and businesses as the government weighs fuel security risks.

Australia's official inflation data do not rank 10 supermarket products. The ABS recorded electricity up 22.4%, while food rose 3.3% and automotive fuel fell.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.05 per cent as declines in banks and major iron ore miners offset gains in gold stocks, while weaker consumer sentiment weighed on rate-sensitive shares.

Australian SMEs in defence, creative industries, music and regional tourism can apply for government grants of up to $800,000, with several programmes closing in October.

Australian shares extended their recovery, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.57% as property stocks and miners advanced despite sharply weaker consumer confidence following the RBA's rate hike.

Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.4% after its worst week since April, supported by mining shares and weaker-than-expected US jobs data that reduced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate rise.

The RBA is widely expected to raise rates to 4.60%, pushing mortgage repayments higher, reducing borrowing capacity and intensifying financial pressure on Australian households.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will visit Japan for more than 20 meetings focused on attracting investment in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and critical minerals while reinforcing bilateral economic ties.

US employers added 29,000 jobs in September, well below forecasts, while unemployment rose to 4.2%, prompting investors to reduce expectations of another Federal Reserve rate rise.

Australian shares recovered on Friday as technology and energy stocks advanced, while easing bond yields helped stabilise markets after the ASX 200's sharp Thursday decline.

Liontown shares fell 15% after the company approved a A$389 million Kathleen Valley expansion, with investors weighing higher near-term spending, execution risks and weaker lithium prices.

Australian small business groups warn that banning card payment surcharges could force independent retailers to absorb processing fees, potentially increasing prices and squeezing already narrow profit margins.

Australian shares fell nearly 2% to a four-month low as rising bond yields, elevated oil prices and a late Wall Street sell-off weighed on investor sentiment.

The ASX 200 climbed nearly 1% as property, technology, defence and gold stocks rallied, despite inflation rising to 4% and the RBA lifting rates to 4.6%.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted its cash rate to 4.60%, increasing mortgage costs, reducing borrowing capacity and creating mixed consequences for renters and savers.

Australian shares closed higher after technology stocks led gains, offsetting the RBA's fourth rate increase of the year and lifting the cash rate to 4.60%.

India's Nifty 50 dropped below 23,000 as Brent crude climbed above $106 a barrel, US yields rose and foreign investors extended their equity selling.

The ASX 200 gained 0.33% as Northern Star Resources rejected Gold Fields' A$38.7 billion takeover proposal, while gold prices and corporate developments supported market sentiment.

Australian equities opened flat as traders priced a 90% chance of an RBA rate hike to 4.60%, while investors assessed inflation, employment and sector pressures.

The ASX 200 fell 0.44% on Friday, extending losses as rising global bond yields, elevated oil prices and mixed Australian economic data clouded the outlook before the RBA's rate decision.

The ASX 200 fell 0.76% as rising oil prices linked to uncertainty over a US-Iran peace deal outweighed stronger Australian employment data and hopes of easing rate pressure.

Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 882.70 points to 65,018.95, led by semiconductor and technology shares, while the broader TOPIX fell and most constituents declined.

RBA Monetary Policy Board member Iain Ross says Australia's current wage growth reflects recovering purchasing power, not an emerging wage-price spiral, citing enterprise bargaining and anchored inflation expectations.

Australia's ASX 200 traded near flat as falling bank, energy and utilities shares offset gains in materials stocks after the RBA warned inflation risks may be increasing.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says lowering net overseas migration will create economic trade-offs, with farmers warning that limits on working holidaymakers could worsen labour shortages and raise food prices.

Australia's ASX 200 recovered modestly after reaching an 11-week low, but remains under pressure from rising global bond yields, expected rate increases, AI concerns and broader market weakness.

EQ Resources shares climbed as record tungsten prices, stronger production and investor backing supported the Australian producer's rapid expansion across mines in Queensland and Spain.

The ASX 200 fell to its lowest level since July as Wall Street losses, rising oil prices, AI-related technology volatility and expectations of another RBA rate increase weighed on sentiment.

The ASX 200 recovered modestly after last week's sharp fall as lower oil prices and Wall Street gains lifted sentiment, though rate concerns continued to weigh.