AAP

Gold has risen to its highest in more than a week, supported by a slight retreat in the US dollar and a pullback in global equities as demand for riskier assets cooled.

Oil prices have eased after Brent touched $US75 per barrel for the first time in nearly six months on the suspension of some Russian crude exports to Europe as investors second-guessed the market's ability to rally further.

Stalled inflation raised hopes of a rate cut and helped the Australian share market to an 11-year high, but the Aussie dollar is languishing at a near six-week low.

Consumer confidence has hit its highest point since December after last week's strong jobs data.

Vicinity Centres chairman Peter Hay will retire from the board of the shopping centre operator at the company's annual general meeting in August.

The Australian share market has opened strongly, with healthcare and tech stocks in the ascendancy after the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit record closing highs overnight.

Oil prices have hit their highest in about six months as sources said Gulf OPEC members were ready to raise output only if there was demand before offsetting any shortfall following a US decision to end waivers for buyers of Iranian crude.

Gold has slipped to a near four-month low as the US dollar gained and investors sought out riskier assets, dampening the safe-haven metal's appeal.

The Australian share market has surged through the 6300 barrier in the first trading session after the four-day Easter break, finishing at its highest point in eight months on a buoyant energy sect

Automotive Holdings Group has urged shareholders to sit tight on a $2.42 billion takeover offer from rival vehicle retailer AP Eagers, warning they may be disadvantaged if they agree to sell before the “highly conditional” deal is approved.

The Australian share market has continued to rise through the first trading session after the four-day Easter break, with board-based gains led by a surging energy sector.

Crude oil jumped almost three per cent Monday after the United States said it would take more steps to choke off Iranian oil exports, while US equities were mixed as Wall Street braced for corporate results in a busy earnings week.

US stocks have ended a low-volume trading session little changed, with the biggest gains in the energy sector as investors otherwise stayed on the sidelines ahead of quarterly earnings.

The Australian share market has closed marginally higher after a choppy day in which better than expected jobs numbers caused the local bourse to lose some of its midday gains.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has reported flat third-quarter iron ore shipments and cut its annual shipments forecast because of disruptions caused by a tropical cyclone.

National Australia Bank says it will cop an extra $525 million after-tax hit through new customer remediation costs, mostly related to its wealth arm.

South32 has reported a 37 per cent fall in its third-quarter coking coal production compared to the second quarter, as its continues to focus on keeping down costs at its Illawarra operation.

Woodside Petroleum has posted a four per cent rise in first-quarter revenue, as it earned more for its oil and gas.

The Australian share market has lifted in early trade thanks to a positive start for the heavyweight financial sector and energy stocks.

Crude have prices declined slightly as US government data showed inventories drew down less than an industry report had suggested on Tuesday.

Gold has fallen again, holding near the 2019 lows touched in the previous session, as economic growth data from China assuaged concerns about global growth and drove investors into riskier assets.

US stocks have ended slightly lower as a drop in healthcare shares overshadowed a string of positive corporate earnings and upbeat economic data from the United States and China.

The Australian share market has closed lower, dragged down by the mining giants and health care stocks.

BHP Group, the world's biggest miner, has joined rival Rio Tinto in cutting its forecast for iron ore output after a tropical cyclone, although analysts expect high prices to limit any impact on profits.

Shares in DuluxGroup have soared more than 27 per cent to a record high after its board backed a $3.8 billion acquisition proposal by Japanese paint giant Nippon.

Australia's No.2 independent gas producer Santos Ltd has posted record quarterly production, boosted by its acquisition of Quadrant Energy assets, a day after it announced an '"exciting" gas discovery in the North West Shelf.

The Australian share market has dipped in early trade, with the mining giants more than offsetting a positive open for the financial and energy sectors.

Gold has dropped one per cent to its lowest level of 2019, as a string of robust economic data boosted demand for riskier assets like equities while bullion was further weighed down by gains in the US dollar.

Oil prices rose one per cent overnight as fighting in Libya and falling Venezuelan and Iranian exports raised concerns over tightening global supply, but uncertainty surrounding an OPEC-led production cut limited gains.

US stocks have ended slightly higher, with the S&P 500 inching closer to its all-time high following a string of mostly positive earnings, while a drop in healthcare shares limited the advance.

Australian shares have closed higher, with the banking and health care sectors offsetting a dour day for energy and telecom stocks.

Australian petrol prices have hit a five-month high with school holidays underway and families preparing to head off for the Easter long weekend.