AAP

Gold prices have risen as global stocks fell on data showing China exports unexpectedly fell, pointing to further weakening in the world's second-largest economy and prompting investors to seek safety in the precious metal.

Disappointing Chinese trade data has given Australia's mining and energy sectors a whack and kept the broader market flat after what promised to be a positive start to the week.

Wesfarmers is expected to make a profit of $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion from the November demerger of its Coles supermarket division, and $670 million to $680 million from the sale of its stake in the Bengalla coal mine.

Australian shares are trading slightly higher but energy stocks continue to weigh at noon, while shares in Wesfarmers are in the red after the retail giant announced a weak Christmas for Kmart.

Gold prices have edged higher as US stocks slipped and expectations rose that the US Federal Reserve might halt its monetary policy tightening cycle.

Oil prices have fallen nearly two per cent as investors worried about a global economic slowdown, snapping a nine-day winning streak spurred by US-China trade hopes, but clung to some gains from that rally to end the week higher.

The Australian share market hasn't been able to sustain its four-day rally despite strong retail sales figures, with banks and miners weighing on the bourse.

Western Australian university graduates have a tougher time finding full-time employment than the national median, according to the 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey by the Australian Department of Education and Training.

Retail spending rose 0.4 per cent in November, beating market expectations, in a sign that Australians have well and truly embraced the Black Friday and Cyber Monday discount sales.

Asian stocks have inched upwards to one-month highs after US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the US central bank can be patient on raising interest rates further.

Gold has slipped, holding below $US1,300 an ounce as the dollar bounced up off lows as investors pared back bearish positions on the US currency.

Oil prices are slightly lower in see-saw trade, easing the day after a strong rally as investors were no longer encouraged by US-China trade talks and as weak Chinese economic data dampened risk appetite.

Wall Street has extended its rally into a fifth straight day in a session of whipsaw trading as investors responded to mixed comments by US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, while a warning from Macy's pummelled retail stocks.

The property industry is more confident in Western Australia than many other parts of the country, but some in the sector are warning that major policy changes could damage this outlook.

The Australian share market has had a flat finish to the day, as a 3.4 per cent fall in BHP shares after market giant went ex-dividend, offset any gains elsewhere.

Early losses for market giants BHP and Commonwealth Bank have offset oil-driven gains for the Australian share market, which is flat at the open despite renewed global trade optimism.

Wall Street has rallied for a fourth session, propelled by Apple, chipmakers and other trade-sensitive stocks after signs of progress in trade talks between the United States and China.

Oil prices have jumped more than four per cent as the extension of US-China talks raised hopes of easing trade tensions between the two superpowers, while OPEC-led crude output cuts also provided support.

The Australian share market has closed at an eight-week high, thanks to growing optimism about the US-China trade negotiations and the continued surge in oil prices.

Job vacancies in Australia edged higher in the three months to November to notch an all-time peak, hinting that demand for labour remains strong despite a low unemployment rate.

Australian shares are chasing global markets higher as investor confidence builds around China-US trade talks.

The S&P 500 has jumped to a three-week high, led by Apple, Amazon, Facebook and industrial shares on bets that the United States and China would strike a deal to end their trade war.

Oil prices have risen by more than two per cent, supported by hopes that crude demand may rise more quickly if talks between US and Chinese officials resolve the trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies.

Gold slipped as the US dollar rose and prospects of a US-China trade deal increased investors’ appetite for riskier assets such as stocks, while palladium notched a fresh all-time high on tight supply.

Another day of gains for the Australian share market has traders wondering if the four-month downtrend is finally over.

The Australian share market is flat despite renewed optimism over US-China trade relations, with the big banks and supermarkets dragging in early trade.

Gold has risen again, just below a more than six-month peak hit in the last session, as the dollar slid on reduced chances of further rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve, and as the United States and China resumed trade talks.

Oil prices have edged higher, rebounding further from 18-month lows reached in December, on support from OPEC production cuts and steadying equities markets.

Amazon.com and Netflix have fuelled a second straight session of gains on Wall Street, as the resumption of US-China trade talks helped ease concerns that have pummelled the market in recent months.

The ASX has shaken off most of its losses from its dismal December, closing at its highest level in over a month.

Australian hospital operator Healius Ltd has rejected an 'opportunistic' $2.02 billion takeover offer from its largest shareholder, Jangho Hong Kong Holdings.

The Australian share market has burst out the gate with heavyweight mining and banking stocks leading the way, while an oil price leap also has the energy sector surging.