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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.