The Latest Breaking News from CommSec

Motorists have been warned to shop around early to avoid paying above $2 a litre at the pump in the lead up to Easter long weekend.

Strong interstate migration and jobs growth lifts Queensland to its first top ranking on the State of the States economic report, with South Australia ranking strong in construction and Victoria leading the nation on retail spending.

The Sunshine State is the country's best-performing state economy for the first time in more than a decade of CommSec rankings.

Australians will get a pulse check on the rising costs of living when inflation figures for the December quarter drop.

ABS and CommSec data shows there are already signs of a slowdown as average household spending goes up 15 per cent in the past five years.

Two stockbrokers, one owned by CBA, have been hit with penalties of over $27 million after "systematic" failures saw customers overcharged for almost a decade.

ACT recorded the weakest annual economic growth, a report said.

Tasmania and Queensland have the best economic momentum in the country as NSW and Victoria slide down the rankings.

Australian petrol prices have plunged to an eight-month low over the past week, delivering much needed cost of living relief to motorists.

Last financial year's profits were the biggest in five years, but some businesses still say they can't afford to lift wages.

A majority of Australian companies have lifted profits in the August earnings season but concerns over costs and a slowing economy weigh on the outlook.