AAP

The Australian share market has plunged for a second day, falling to nearly a two-week low as US oil futures collapsed into negative territory.

The nation still has a second airline - for now. But Virgin Australia has been told in no uncertain terms that it will have to save itself.

BHP's iron ore production is on track to meet full year guidance and is reviewing the forecast for copper amid the perils of the coronavirus.

The Australian share market has followed Wall Street lower after US crude oil futures turned negative for the first time amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut.

US crude oil futures collapsed below $US0 for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $US37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil.

Gold climbed as much as 1 per cent overnight after earlier hitting a more-than one-week low, with the collapse of US crude oil prices to a record low hitting risk assets and driving investors to the safety of bullion.

Australian stocks have suffered their worst loss in three weeks after the price of oil was smashed to its lowest level since 1999.

Virgin Australia is declining to comment on media reports it will file for voluntary administration due to the coronavirus lockdowns.

IGA supplier Metcash is seeking to raise $330 million to strengthen its balance sheet as it weathers the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service could be used to evacuate coronavirus-infected Australians from remote communities during the pandemic.

National Australia Bank's first-half result will be rocked by a $1.14 billion triple hit of extra charges and writedowns even before coronavirus impacts are factored in.

South32 has posted a near 18 per cent rise in third-quarter metallurgical coal output and says it has received approval to restart its South African coal operations during a coronavirus-related lockdown, although at a reduced rate.

Caltex Australia will not be acquired by fuel retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard, at least in the short term, after talks about an $8.8 billion deal were put on ice.

The Australian share market has taken a dive in early trade ahead of data that will show how badly the coronavirus lockdown is affecting households.

Gold dropped about 2.0 per cent on Friday after President Donald Trump's new guidelines to reopen the US economy and encouraging early data related to a potential COVID-19 treatment drove investors towards riskier assets.

Oil prices were mixed on Friday, with weak Chinese economic figures and rapidly filling US crude storage offsetting bullishness built on US President Donald Trump's outlines for the US economy to emerge from the coronavirus shutdown.

The Australian share market has finished higher across nearly all sectors, clawing back its losses from the last two days and narrowly missing closing at a new one-month high.

Mobile phone tracking software could be compulsory if not enough Australians voluntarily download the application to help in coronavirus case tracing.

Rio Tinto is maintaining its 2020 production guidance for ore, bauxite, alumina and aluminium but expects mined and refined copper to drop further amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Brisbane-based jewellery group Michael Hill has suffered an 11.9 per cent dive in third quarter revenue across its global network after it closed shopfronts due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian share market has risen in early trade following a strong overnight performance by US giants Amazon and Netflix and ahead of looming Chinese GDP data.

Gold fell after climbing 1.3 per cent overnight, as safe-haven demand weakened after US jobless claims rose less than a week ago and hopes grew for an easing of coronavirus-led curbs.

Oil prices were mixed overnight, as Brent crude rose modestly while US futures ended unchanged at an 18-year-low after some European countries said they would relax coronavirus restrictions even though OPEC lowered its global oil demand forecast.

Australian shares have trimmed earlier losses following a better-than-expected March jobs report but the market still closed in the red.

One of Western Australia's biggest employers, Crown Resorts, has stood down 95 per cent of its national workforce due to coronavirus restrictions affecting its casinos and hospitality venues in Perth and Melbourne.

Australian shares have recorded sharp early losses as global equities sour and a likely bleak unemployment figure looms.

US crude prices fell to an 18-year low and Brent lost more than 6.0 per cent after the United States reported its biggest weekly inventory build on record, while global demand is expected to fall to quarter-century lows due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gold prices have fallen, a day after scaling over seven-year highs, as the dollar firmed and investors booked profits, although concerns of a global recession put a floor under prices.

The Australian share market has pulled back after two days of gains, as lower oil prices dragged down energy producers and as warnings mounted of worsening economic conditions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lynas Corp has applied to the Malaysian government for an exemption from some coronavirus-led curbs as reduced work levels drove an 18 per cent drop in the miner's third-quarter rare earths oxides output.

Scott Morrison has reignited the debate over what schools should be doing during the coronavirus crisis.

The Australian share market has followed Wall Street higher at the start of trade even as warnings mount of worsening unemployment and economic conditions because of the coronavirus fallout.