AAP

Annual inflation inched higher to 1.7 per cent in the September quarter amid signs the lower Australian dollar is helping offset the impact of soft consumer demand.

Woolworths underpaid its employees by as much as $300 million over almost a decade, only discovering it had been keeping the cash when shocked store managers complained they were earning less than their staff.

Oil prices were mixed overnight, paring earlier steep losses as investors focused on signs that US-China trade tensions could ease next month and expectations that US refined product stockpiles declined last week.

Gold fell to a one-week low overnight as hopes for a US-China trade deal buoyed risk sentiment while gold investors will watch how other financial markets react to this week's Federal Reserve meeting at which the central bank is widely expected to cut US interest rates.

It's been a seventh day of gains for the Australian share market but they have again been modest.

Vocus Group chief executive Kevin Russell says the NBN is creating a broadband market that undermines competition and discourages private investment.

Oil prices fell overnight after four days of gains as expectations US crude stockpiles will rise and worries about weak Chinese industrial data offset hopes oil demand will increase if talks progress on a China-US trade deal.

Palladium soared overnight to hit $US1,800 an ounce for the first time ever, extending a record run triggered by a stark supply shortfall, while gold fell nearly 1.0 per cent on optimism surrounding a US-China deal that pushed stocks to a fresh peak.

The Australian share market has given up nearly all of its early gains, just barely extending its winning streak to six days ahead of busy week for economic data.

ASIC has ordered IOOF Holdings to make sure a majority of directors have appropriate skills and experience to support its business as a wealth manager.

Oil prices rose on Friday, registering the strongest weekly gains in more than a month as support from optimism over a US-China trade deal, falling US crude stocks and possible action from OPEC to extend output cuts outweighed broader economic concerns.

Gold steadied on Friday, paring earlier gains as equity markets rose and the US dollar strengthened after US officials said they were close to finalising parts of a trade pact with China, but bullion was still on track for a weekly gain.

The Australian share market has closed for higher for a fifth straight day - and added more gains than the rest of the week combined.

The Australian share market has built on its early gains, helped by the healthcare sector.

Oil prices extended their gains overnight, with Brent rising above $US61 a barrel as a surprise drop in US crude inventories and the prospect of further market-supporting action by OPEC and its allies offset some concern over the outlook for demand.

Gold scaled a near two-week peak overnight after weak economic data from the United States raised expectations for another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve while platinum jumped to its highest level in more than three weeks.

The Australian share market has closed higher for a fourth day, buoyed by energy stocks as the price of crude jumped higher.

Fortescue Metals Group has recorded a 5 per cent rise in shipments for the September quarter, buoyed by sustained demand for the steel-making ingredient from China.

Qantas has posted record first-quarter revenue but flagged a profit hit of up to $55 million from protests in Hong Kong and the US-China trade tiff.

Oil rose about 2.5 per cent overnight after government data showed a surprise draw in US crude stocks and as the prospect of deeper output cuts by OPEC and its allies offered support.

Gold gained overnight as some investors sought refuge in the metal after UK MPs pushed the pause button on Brexit while expectations of further monetary easing by central banks lent further support.

The Australian share market has finished flat following a sluggish day amid more uncertainty over Brexit negotiations.

Westpac says its full-year results will be reduced by a further $341 million after the bank increased its annual provision for customer remediation to just short of $1 billion.

Rio Tinto could close an unprofitable aluminium smelter on New Zealand's South Island after prices dropped more than 30 per cent over 18 months amid oversupply of the metal.

The Australian share market has been dragged lower by weakness in sectors including healthcare and the heavyweight financials.

trade talks with the United States but crude's gains were capped by forecasts of a build up in US stockpiles.

Gold steadied in a tight range overnight as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of a crucial Brexit vote while focus shifted to the US Federal Reserve's stance on interest rate cuts.

The Australian share market has closed higher on positive signs for easing US-China trade tensions and a deal on Brexit.

Rio Tinto is studying ways to extract lithium from waste rock at a mine it controls in California, making it the latest company trying to produce the battery metal in the US for the fast-growing electric vehicle market.

Oil Search has posted a 24 per cent drop in quarterly revenue and cut its 2019 production guidance after damage to a mooring system dented output.

The owner of Rebel Sport and Supercheap Auto says like-for-like sales have increased 3.2 per cent so far this financial year, but promotions to attract cautious consumers have hit margins.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher after a positive lead from overseas.