AAP

Oil prices fell nearly 1.0 per cent overnight after comments from a US official fed concerns surrounding the US-China trade conflict, adding to worries that a slowing global economy would reduce demand for oil.

Gold eased overnight on improved appetite for riskier assets, while investors awaited further clarity from the US Federal Reserve on more possible interest rate cuts this year.

The Australian share market has closed flat, boosted by the property sector and dragged by turmoil in tech stocks.

Afterpay Touch has described itself as a "marketing channel" whose service goes beyond payment processing after the Reserve Bank of Australia said it would look at whether action is needed to help retailers recover the cost of buy now, pay later services.

Oil prices edged lower on Friday as concerns about China's economy outweighed bullish signals from its refining sector but losses were limited on hopes for progress toward a US-China trade agreement.

Gold steadied on Friday, helped by a weaker US dollar, with the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, uncertainties over US-China trade and fears of a global slowdown keeping bullion on track for a small weekly gain.

The Australian share market has fallen for a second day, with losses across the board as hopes dimmed for fourth cash rate cut.

Fortescue Metals Group has failed to overturn a native title ruling covering its Solomon iron ore mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

BHP shareholders are poised to reject a motion urging the world's biggest listed miner to suspend membership of some industry bodies judged to be at odds with goals to tackle climate change.

Oil prices rose about 1.0 per cent overnight after draws in US fuel inventories but gains were capped by a larger-than-expected rise in crude stockpiles and a series of weak economic figures.

Gold rose overnight as weak data from the United States rekindled fears of an economic slowdown and as concerns surfaced over possible risks to a new Brexit deal while supply-squeezed palladium continued its record run.

The Australian share market has slipped and the local currency gained as investors digested a surprise dip in the country's unemployment rate.

BHP says it will make a final investment decision on its long-delayed Jansen potash project by early 2021, and announced its South Flank iron ore project is now half complete.

The Morrison government wants to change native title laws to ensure hundreds of mining leases are no longer in limbo.

Oil rose about 1.4 per cent overnight, gaining support due to signs that OPEC and allied producers will continue to curb supplies in December, a weaker US dollar and as traders covered short positions ahead of an industry report on US crude inventories.

Gold rose overnight on concerns that a US House vote on Hong Kong could hamper trade negotiations between the country and China and as investors awaited a key Brexit summit but bullion's gains were overshadowed by deficit-hit palladium as it again set a record.

The Australian share market has finished higher for a fifth straight day, closing with its biggest gains in six-and-a-half weeks.

The Australian share market has jumped at the start of trading after a positive lead from Wall Street.

Worley has asked the Foreign Investment Review Board to look at "possible creeping acquisitions" by Beirut-headquartered Dar Group as the ASX-listed engineering and consulting firm aims to fend off a possible takeover by its largest shareholder.

Oil prices fell overnight as investors worried that the unrelenting US-China trade conflict would keep squeezing the global economy and that swelling US crude inventories would further pressure prices.

Gold fell 1.0 per cent overnight as growing risk appetite boosted investor demand for equities while a sustained supply crunch in palladium propelled the price of that precious metal to a record high.

The Australian share market has finished a touch higher despite stocks of media companies and retailers taking a hit amid reports their businesses are suffering.

There are concerns of a measles outbreak at a Fortescue Metals Group mine site in Western Australia after a case was confirmed.

Oil prices slumped more than 2.0 per cent overnight on worries that global crude demand could stay under pressure as a lack of details about the first phase of a US-China trade deal dimmed hopes for a quick resolution to the tariff fight.

Gold gained overnight as optimism over a potential US-China trade deal waned while palladium notched an all-time high driven by short supplies of the auto-catalyst metal.

The Australian share market has closed higher for a third day, playing catch-up after the US and China struck a truce on tariffs after Friday's close.

Covalent Lithium's Earl Grey lithium project has been recommend for approval by WA's Environmental Protection Authority provided its proponents minimise the impact on flora and fauna, including chuditch and malleefowl.

The big banks have said they welcome the competition watchdog inquiry into mortgage pricing, with ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott admitting lenders have not properly explained why their rates do not keep pace with the tumbling cash rate.

Oil prices rose as high as $US60.65 a barrel on Friday after Iranian media said a state-owned oil tanker had been struck by missiles in the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia but bearish oil demand forecasts soon pulled crude off session highs.

Gold fell over 1.0 per cent on Friday, en route to its biggest weekly decline since March, as easing concerns about the US-China trade conflict and Britain's exit from the European Union renewed appetite for riskier assets.

The Australian share market has closed solidly higher amid optimism that progress is being made between the US and China on trade.

Climate activists have brought traffic to a standstill in Perth's CBD as streets were shut down and police arrested protesters causing disruption.