WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar has shed half a US cent after a surprisingly strong US employment report boosted the greenback.
At 0630 AEDT on Thursday, the currency was trading at 90.25 US cents, down from 90.77 cents on Wednesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open lower after Wall Street continued its run of losses despite strong US employment and trade reports.
At 0645 AEDT on Thursday, the December share price index futures contract was down 10 points at 5,267.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - The US economy has continued to grow at a "modest to moderate" pace in recent weeks, with few weak spots to mar the picture, a Federal Reserve report says.
WASHINGTON - The US foreign trade deficit narrowed to $US40.6 billion ($A44.5 billion) in October on a strong rise in exports, the Commerce Department says.
WASHINGTON - US private-sector hiring surged in November, with a net 215,000 new jobs created, the strongest month so far in 2013, payrolls firm ADP says.
PARIS - The eurozone recovery is losing steam, data released suggests, with France possibly heading back into recession.
LISBON - Portugal's creditors have begun a review of the country's 78 billion euros ($A117 billion) bailout program, with unions and business leaders united against more austerity measures, warning they put a fragile economic recovery at risk.
VIENNA - OPEC has agreed to maintain its oil production ceiling at 30 million barrels per day, Iran's oil minister says.
NUSA DUA, Indonesia - India has rejected a proposed World Trade Organisation package, casting a cloud over a high-stakes conference trying to revive faltering efforts to liberalise global commerce.
BRUSSELS - The European Union has imposed a record 1.7 billion euros ($A2.5 billion) in fines on six institutions for rigging key interest rates that affect vast sums of money around the world.
BRUSSELS - The European Commission has cleared Russian gas giant Gazprom to take joint or sole control of four Dutch and German gas companies.
