Finance news you need to know today

THE United States Supreme Court has stepped into the high-profile patent fight between the world’s two fiercest smartphone rivals, Apple and Samsung.

FILE - MARCH 21, 2016: It was reported that the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the patent case between Apple and Samsung March 21, 2016. LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: A Samsung and Apple smartphone are displayed on August 6, 2014 in London, England. Smartphone and tablet manufacturers Samsung and Apple have agreed to end all legal cases over patent infringements outside of the US. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

HERE are eight things making news in business and finance around the world today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is marginally stronger on higher oil and iron ore prices, but it’s expected to fall. At 7am on Tuesday, the local unit was trading at 75.81 US cents, up from 75.77 cents on Monday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian share market looks set to open a little higher after Wall Street gained slightly as investors searched for fresh catalysts and grappled with mixed feelings about the Federal Reserve’s dovish move last week. At 6.45am on Tuesday, the share price index was up seven points at 5,174.

3, VIENNA — Iran may join other oil producers planning to freeze production to support prices at a later date, OPEC’s secretary-general says, since the country is seeking to raise its exports.

4. OSLO — BP and Norway’s Statoil will withdraw staff from two gas plants in Algeria after an attack by militants on one of the sites in the North African country, the companies say.

5. WASHINGTON — Americans retreated from home-buying in February, reversing months of prior gains as low inventories push up prices to levels that restrict sales.

6. NEW YORK — Data providers IHS and Markit are combining in an all-stock deal worth more than $US13 billion ($A17.09 billion).

7. WASHINGTON — The US Supreme Court has stepped into the high-profile patent fight between the world’s two fiercest smartphone rivals, Apple and Samsung, agreeing to hear Samsung’s appeal of what it contends were excessive penalties for copying the patented designs of the iPhone.

7. CUPERTINO, California — Apple has unveiled a small new iPhone, a new iPad tablet for business use and price cuts for its Apple Watch at a product event.

8. NEW YORK — Marriott has won over Starwood with a sweetened bid worth more than $US14.4 billion ($A18.93 billion) just days after a Chinese insurance company appeared to steal it away from the hotel chain with a more lucrative offer.