WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar has gained more than three-quarters of a US cent following strong export data out of China.
At 0630 AEDT on Monday, the local unit was trading at 91.31 US cents, up from 90.50 cents on Friday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following strong gains on Wall Street after a strong jobs report fuelled expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin to reduce its huge stimulus soon.
At 0645 AEDT on Monday, the December share price index futures contract was up 25 points at 5,209.
ELSEWHERE:
BEIJING - China's exports grew much more strongly than expected in November, official figures show, as a rebound in overseas shipments gained strength on demand from the United States and Europe.
BERLIN - German competition and financial market watchdogs have urged greater state oversight on how banks set global interest rates, following the EU's massive fines over the Libor scandal.
ATHENS - Greece's parliament has approved a tough budget for next year, aimed at ending the country's deep recession, despite continued differences on fiscal policy with the country's international creditors.
ATHENS - Officials from Greece's main creditors will return to Athens on Tuesday, the European Commission says, in a bid to push forward talks on releasing 1.0 billion euros ($A1.5 billion) for the recession-hit country.
TEHRAN - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled a draft annual budget predicting economic growth of three per cent, amid hopes for a lifting of international sanctions, media reports.
PUNGESTI, Romania - Chevron has resumed activities to build its first shale gas exploration well in Romania, a day after protests forced the US energy giant to suspend work.
PARIS - The global video gaming market is set to grow 11.1 per cent a year until 2017, boosted by a new generation of consoles and the increasing popularity of online games, according to IDATE digital research and consultancy firm.
