AAP

Gold rose overnight after US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell pledged more stimulus measures, if required, to ease the economic blow from the novel coronavirus.

The Australian share market has swung from a 102-point loss to finish in the green with a 19 point gain.

China has ignored Australia's attempts to discuss trade tensions over beef and barley imports, and state governments fear they could become the meat in the sandwich as the trade tangle heats up.

Consumer confidence received a much needed boost from last Friday's three-step plan from the national cabinet to lift coronavirus-related restrictions in the months ahead.

Commonwealth Bank is setting aside $1.5 billion for potential defaults on account of COVID-19-related shutdowns and will sell a majority stake in its Colonial First State wealth management unit, as it braces for an economic slowdown and falls in house prices.

Shares have slumped by 1.7 per cent in early trade on the Australian market after the top US infectious disease expert warned of re-opening the economy too soon.

Shares have slumped by 1.7 per cent in early trade on the Australian market after the top US infectious disease expert warned of re-opening the economy too soon.

Oil prices rose overnight after OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, said it would increase supply curbs in June, while other members of the oil-producing group said they want to extend the deep cuts reached in April for a longer period than originally agreed.

Gold rose overnight on expectations of more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve to support an economy battered by coronavirus-induced restrictions, while an easing US dollar lent further support.

The Australian share market has given up most of Monday's gains, with all but two sectors falling amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus cases spreading in Europe and Asia.

Premier Investments is reopening the remainder of its closed stores in Australia and New Zealand this week - but some may not stay open for long.

Stocks on the Australian market have slipped by more than 0.9 per cent in early trade after mixed results in the US overnight.

Oil prices fell overnight as investors worried about a second wave of coronavirus infections, but new output cuts from Saudi Arabia tempered worries about oversupply and limited price losses.

Gold prices retreated overnight as the dollar benefitted from safe-haven buying driven by fears over a second wave of coronavirus infections.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level this month, with gains across the board as optimism rose that the coronavirus lockdowns would soon be over.

Anthony Albanese believes the coronavirus has handed Australia a once-in-a-generation chance to reshape its economy and the nation must seize the opportunity.

Scentre Group says that 57 per cent of retailers at its 37 Westfield malls across Australia are open and trading, with significantly more shops to open over the coming weeks as the coronavirus lockdowns ease.

Western Australia's premier has defended not further relaxing coronavirus restrictions and promised a better deal soon for the state's pubs and restaurants.

Josh Frydenberg's first budget was a triumphant "back in black" performance but his second is predicted to show a $143 billion black hole in the nation's finances.

Investors have lifted share prices by more than 1.0 per cent in early trading on the ASX, with most sectors higher.

Oil producers will be hoping for a third consecutive week of gains as more countries relax lockdowns intended to halt the coronavirus pandemic.

Investor optimism for a reopened economy has prompted gold to ease from its highest price in nearly two weeks.

Australian shares have finished higher, with retailers buoyant after Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the National Cabinet disclosed a roadmap to reopen the country for business.

Macquarie Group has halved its dividend after reporting an 8 per cent drop in full year profit, and said challenging market conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic make it hard to predict its fi

Telstra will take a $300 million impairment charge on its 35 per cent stake in Foxtel after the majority owner of the pay TV network, News Corp, wrote down its value.

Australia will get a three-stage plan for easing coronavirus restrictions with states and territories to change gears at different paces.

Australian shares have posted a solid rise in early trading, with energy and property stocks leading the gains.

Oil prices slipped overnight as global supply and demand worries erased earlier gains seen from an increase in Saudi Arabia's official crude selling price and a surprise rise in Chinese exports last month.

Gold jumped 2 per cent overnight after a string of weak economic data, including surging unemployment in the United States, heightened fears over a coronovirus-induced global downturn, while investors turned their attention to nonfarm payrolls for further cues.

The Australian share market has dipped modestly for a second day as oil prices slid, even as a surging trade surplus bolstered the mining sector.

The proposed merger between Vodafone Australia and TPG Telecom has received the green light from the Foreign Investment Review Board, taking it another step closer to completion.

Refiner and fuel retailer Caltex Australia is seeing a slump in fuel demand amid widespread social restrictions and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.