AAP

Caltex stocks jumped more than three per cent in early trade after it received a improved $8.8 billion buyout proposal from Alimentation Couche-Tard to acquire all its shares at an indicative price of $35.25.

South32 has reported an 80 per cent plunge in half-year underlying profit due to a temporary tax increase and lower prices across key commodities

Australian shares have dived right after reaching a record high following news of a big jump in coronavirus deaths and infections in China.

Oil prices rose over 3 per cent overnight as China reported its lowest daily number of new coronavirus cases since late January, stoking investor hopes that fuel demand in the world's second-largest oil consumer may begin to recover.

Gold prices eased to a near one-week low overnight as risk sentiment improved after a drop in the number of new coronavirus cases comforted markets that the epidemic's effects could be contained.

Stellar results from Commonwealth Bank have pushed the Australian share market higher for second day, even as the mining sector lost ground.

Vitamin company Blackmores has scrapped its interim dividend and slashed its full-year profit guidance, blaming it on adverse costs and the coronavirus outbreak.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's mortgage lending surge has underpinned an expectation-defying first-half result, even as the lender feels the heat from regulatory costs and a bushfire-related rise in loan impairments.

The Australian share market is powering along after positive offshore leads and good local news from market heavyweights CSL and Commonwealth Bank.

Oil prices have edged up from 13-month lows as the number of new coronavirus cases slows in China, easing some concern over the potential for lengthy oil demand destruction.

Gold prices have dipped as the US dollar held firm and investors opted for riskier assets after a fall in the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus in China eased some of fears over global economic impact.

Australian shares have hit a two-week high after an upbeat lead from Wall Street, with gains across the board.

Suncorp's net profit from continuing operations fell 7.2 per cent to $348 million during the first half, weighed down by a surge of bushfire and hailstorm claims.

Australian shares have surged across the board on positive local news and an upbeat lead from Wall Street.

Oil prices fell overnight to their lowest level since December 2018 on weaker Chinese demand in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and as traders waited to see if Russia would join other producers in seeking further output cuts.

The price of gold rose to its highest level in a week on Monday as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak climbed and investors sought safe haven from the economic impact.

The Australian share market has closed lower after global concerns about the coronavirus outbreak caused falls in most sectors.

Boral boss Mike Kane has announced he is standing down after the company confirmed staff at its North American windows business had inflated earnings figures over a 20-month period.

JB Hi-Fi's Christmas has proven music to investors' ears, with strong summer sales and online growth helping the electronics retailer shake sector-wide softness and post a record first-half profit.

Australian shares were below the 7,000 points level at noon as continuing global concerns about the coronavirus outbreak caused falls in most sectors.

Oil prices fell 1 per cent on Friday as Russia said it needed more time before committing to output cuts sought by other large producers while the coronavirus outbreak fanned worries about global crude demand.

Gold prices have risen as fears of an economic slowdown from the coronavirus outbreak and lower interest rates globally offset strong US economic data.

The Australian share market has snapped its three-day winning streak, with broad losses across most sectors despite Wall Street setting new record highs overnight.

Airbnb says 4.5 million people booked rooms on its online lodging platform in regional Australia last year, with 260,000 guests visiting regional Western Australia, confirming the widespread uptake of its accommodation services.

The Yamatji Indigenous community has celebrated a landmark economic package and native title recognition for more than 100,000 hectares of land in Western Australia’s Mid West.

Rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has threatened defamation action against opponents aiming to prevent it from operating in Malaysia following attacks in the local media.

The Reserve Bank has kept its word and left its growth forecast unchanged through to the end of the year, while continuing to insist the GDP hit from bushfires, drought and coronavirus outbreak will be short-lived.

Heavyweight mining and energy stocks have dragged the Australian share market down at noon after three straight days of gains.

Oil futures gave up early gains overnight as OPEC and its partner Russia gave mixed signals about possible further output cuts to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak that has amplified concerns about weak global oil demand.

Gold rose overnight as expectations of central banks keeping interest rates low and uncertainties around the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic fueled appetite for the safe-haven metal.

The local bourse has enjoyed its best single day in nearly a month, climbing back over 7,000 following a strong lead from Wall Street.

National retail spending fell by a worse-than-expected 0.5 per cent in a fire-affected December, however, retail giant Coles recorded a surprisingly strong Christmas period.