AAP

Gold prices have eased in a thin volume trade as risk appetite improved after China took further efforts to limit the economic impact from the coronavirus outbreak.

The Australian stock exchange has bounced back from its early losses to finish the day nearly flat as the big banks dragged on the market.

Car dealers are reeling from the "huge blow" of General Motors retiring the Holden brand in Australia, as the peak dealership group calls for regulations to protect businesses.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has launched a $300 million capital raising and slashed its interim dividend as rising costs weigh heavily on its first-half result, while NAB says it will raise about $750 million to refinance debt, as it seeks to meet toughened capital requirements.

Australian shares have opened weaker amid investor caution after a strong end to the last week.

Oil prices rose over 1 per cent on Friday, posting their first weekly gain since early January.

Gold prices rose to the highest level in more than a week on Friday, on track for a weekly gain, as investors bet on the safe-haven metal to hedge against the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Australian share market has closed higher for a fourth day, with the benchmark index finishing just under a record closing high set three and a half weeks ago.

The corporate watchdog has charged former Bellamy's director Jan Cameron over the alleged masking of her stake in the infant formula business via a mysterious Caribbean-based associate.

Australian stocks have crept just above a flatline in cautious end to the week following mixed offshore leads.

Oil prices edged higher overnight as investors hoped the world's biggest producers would cut output more.

Gold prices jumped overnight to their highest in more than a week after a sharp increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in China renewed fears over global economic impact and persuaded investors to seek lower-risk assets.

The Australian share market has closed marginally higher after fears from the Covid-19 coronavirus cast a pall on a record-setting day.

Newcrest Mining has posted an 18 per cent rise in underlying half-year profit, getting a boost from higher realised gold prices and a weaker Australian dollar.

AGL Energy has achieved a 37 per cent rise in the number of Western Australian customers buying its gas, as it continues to eat into the market share of Alinta Energy and Kleenheat.

A $15 billion merger between Vodafone Australia and TPG Telecom has been given the green light in the federal court, but the consumer watchdog says it will cause mobile data prices to rise.

Woodside Petroleum has deferred a final investment decision on the giant Browse gas project as it deals with the complexity of the planned development and unresolved commercial differences with its partners.

Telstra has reported a 7.6 per cent drop in first-half profit to $1.14 billion - in line with guidance and expectations - with bushfires and the ongoing NBN rollout weighing on the telco's bottom line.

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.