AAP

Australian shares have opened lower after US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of additional trade tariffs on China.

US stocks have fallen, led by declines in technology and consumer discretionary stocks as investors looked to President Donald Trump's announcement regarding tariffs on $US200 billion of Chinese imports.

Oil prices were little changed as the market weighed deepening trade tension between the US and China that is expected to dent global crude demand and potential supply tightening due to Iran sanctions.

A softer dollar and short-covering has lifted gold after two sessions of declines, but investors braced for more US-China trade tensions, with some buying bullion as a safe haven.

Australian shares have closed higher, lifted by the banks despite heavy losses to aged care stocks in reaction to the pending royal commission.

Strawberry tampering did not happen in Western Australia despite the discovery of sewing needles secreted inside a punnet grown in the state and exported to South Australia, according to Health Minister Roger Cook.

Widespread frost has dented hopes that wheat growing areas in Australia's west could provide a much needed boost to output, further tightening supplies amid the prolonged east coast drought.

Australian shares are down at the open amid lingering uncertainty over US-China trade relations, while shares in the under-fire aged care sector are dragging on the market after the announcement of a royal commission.

National Australia Bank has tasked former NSW Premier Mike Baird with leading its retail unit after consumer boss Andrew Hagger decided to leave the bank following his mauling at the financial services royal commission.

Gold turned negative as the US dollar rose against the Chinese yuan after US President Donald Trump reportedly told aides to proceed with tariffs on Chinese imports.

Oil prices pulled back on concerns additional US tariffs would be placed on Chinese imports, after an earlier rally triggered by worries that more sanctions on Iran might constrict supply.

US stocks have ended little changed as financials rose with bond yields, while news that President Donald Trump instructed aides to proceed with tariffs on about $US200 billion of Chinese products limited gains.

Australian shares have finished higher on Friday, buoyed by improving global sentiment around trade, solid Chinese economic data and a bout of local buying by bargain hunters.

The corporate regulator has commenced civil penalty proceedings against ANZ Banking Group over allegations the bank breached its continuous disclosure obligations during a 2015 capital raising.

This season's Western Australian grain output will be 800,000 tonnes higher than previously expected, at 16.3 million tonnes, according to the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia, at a time when Asia is facing a potential supply shock.

Six female prison officers, who either quit or were sacked from Acacia Prison in Wooroloo WA for having "inappropriate relationships" with inmates, have been referred to the Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission.

Australian shares have opened higher, taking their lead from a strong night on Wall Street where stocks were assisted by a bounce in Apple shares.

US stocks have risen as Apple led a rebound in technology shares and as trade worries eased after China said it was open to fresh talks with the United States.

Oil prices have fallen more than two per cent, with Brent slipping back from four-month highs as investors focused on the risk that emerging market crises and trade disputes could dent demand even as supply tightens.

The Australian share market has closed lower, dragged down by losses in the banking and health care sectors, while the Aussie dollar had a boost from better-than-expected jobs data and easing US-China trade tensions.

Western Australia’s unemployment was steady in August at 6.2 per cent in trend terms, despite a small rise in the number of people employed, although the level was much lower for women than men.

Myer chief executive John King has increased his stake in the beleaguered retailer, purchasing 100,000 shares a day after it posted a full-year net loss of $486 million.

The beekeeper-owners of Capilano Honey have thrown their support behind a private equity takeover bid for the Australian company.

The benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average opened flat as gains in energy companies helped offset a slide in technology stocks, which weighed on the Nasdaq.

Oil futures have risen, with Brent reaching $US80 a barrel, after a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories and as US sanctions on Iran added to concerns over global oil supply

The Australian share market has returned to its downward trend, closing lower on Wednesday after a rare gain a day earlier as US-China trade concerns again weigh on investor confidence.

NBN Co will have to pay internet providers a $25 rebate for every late connection, fault repair or missed appointment under a new requirement enforced by the consumer watchdog.

Scott Morrison is "absolutely satisfied" none of his MPs were bullied because of their gender during the recent leadership spill.

Shares in department store Myer have fallen to a two-month low after the embattled retailer reported a full-year net loss of $486 million.

The competition watchdog has approved a Hong Kong consortium's $13 billion takeover bid for APA Group, Australia's biggest gas pipeline company, on the proviso that four major assets in Western Australia are sold to new owners.

US stocks have started the day with little change as gains in technology stocks helped the Nasdaq regain footing and curbed losses in the materials and industrials sectors after fears of an escalation in the Sino-US trade spat.

Oil prices rose more than two per cent as US sanctions squeezed Iranian crude exports and after US crude oil production in 2019 was forecast to grow at a slower rate than previously expected, prompting supply concerns.