Finance news you need to know today

HILLARY Clinton is holding onto her narrow lead over Donald Trump in the US presidential race just days ahead of the election.

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

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar has continued its ascent against its US counterpart, and is higher against the yen and the euro. At 0635 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 76.83 US cents, up from 76.68 cents on Thursday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open lower after Wall Street again fell as Facebook shares weighed and investors grapple with uncertainty over next week’s US presidential election. At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the share price index was down 25 points at 5,165.

3. LONDON — A British court has ruled the government needs parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, potentially delaying Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans.

4. WASHINGTON — US services industry activity cooled in October amid a slowdown in new orders and hiring, suggesting a moderation in economic growth early in the fourth quarter.

5. WASHINGTON — Mortgage giant Fannie Mae reported net income of $US3.2 billion from July through September, up from $US2 billion a year earlier, as its losses declined on investments it uses to hedge against interest rate swings.

6. CAIRO — Egypt has devalued its currency by 48 per cent, meeting a key demand set by the International Monetary Fund in exchange for a $US12 billion ($A16 billion) loan over three years to overhaul the country’s ailing economy.

7. WASHINGTON — Democrat Hillary Clinton is holding onto her narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in the US presidential race just days ahead of the November 8 election, according to two new polls.