Australian shares closed lower as a new deal to resolve debt issues in the US failed to allay concerns about the strength of that country's economy.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) says it has lost 375,000 customers, as users sought alternatives in response to network and customer service issues.

Education provider Navitas Ltd has increased its full year profits by more than 20 per cent despite a steep fall in student enrolments in Aust and UK.

New guidelines to be introduced providing clearer assessment of risk of superannuation fund investments.

The Australian dollar closed firmer as investors cheered news US legislators had managed to hammer out a deal designed to avoid a US default.

Macarthur Coal's rejected suitors could face an uphill battle convincing the miner's powerful steelmaker shareholders to agree to its takeover offer.