Finance news you need to know today

PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has wrapped up a meeting with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Trump Tower.

HERE are nine things making news in business and finance today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar has again fallen against its US counterpart following disappointing local jobs figures. At 0635 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 74.15 US cents, down from 74.79 cents on Thursday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open slightly higher following positive sessions on most major international markets and with Wall Street’s S&P 500 lifting close to a record high. At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the share price index was up 11 points at 5,349.

3. WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking US unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since 1973 last week, evidence that businesses are confident enough in the economy to hold onto their workers.

4. WASHINGTON — US consumer prices recorded their biggest increase in six months in October on rising petrol costs and rents, suggesting a pick-up in inflation that potentially clears the way for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December.

5. WASHINGTON — Builders in the US broke ground on the most new homes in nine years last month, a response to strong demand that should lift the economy.

6. WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has wrapped up a meeting with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Trump Tower.

7. NEW YORK — JPMorgan Chase & Co. has agreed to pay $US264.4 million ($A354.6 million) in fines to federal authorities to settle charges that it hired friends and relatives of Chinese officials in order to gain access to banking deals in that country.

8. LONDON — The UK has ratified the world’s first comprehensive treaty on tackling climate change, the government says.

9. LIMA — Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to fly the flag for free trade amid a rising tide against globalisation when he jets into Lima for APEC.