AAP

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.

The Australian share market has snapped an eight day losing streak, buoyed by strong results from oil and financial stocks.

Australian business conditions rebounded in August as firms reported improved sales and profits, a new survey shows.

Woolworths is facing a potential $100 million class action launched on behalf of investors whose shares lost value following a shock 2015 profit downgrade by the supermarket giant.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has guaranteed his government will deliver the GST distribution solution promised under Malcolm Turnbull's leadership before the next election, and will even consider legislation if necessary.

Australian shares are higher in morning trade after a stronger performance on Wall Street overnight where investors are eyeing another round of tax cuts for US businesses.

US stock indexes have opened higher, boosted by the consumer discretionary sector, while hopes for a new round of tax cuts overshadowed fears of an escalation in the Sino-US trade war.

Iron ore shipments to China from Port Hedland rose nearly 10 per cent in August from a month earlier.

The Australian stock market has closed flat after recovering some of its early losses after better-than-expected economic data from China.

Wall Street's major indexes have fallen as US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of additional tariffs on Chinese imports and Apple Inc indicated that some of its products could be subjected to such levies.

Oil prices are steady, with US crude slipping on weak global equity markets while Brent inched up on geopolitical factors, including violent protests in Iraq.

The Australian stock market has marked seven straight days of losses for the first time since January 2016, as US-China trade concerns continue to drag on the indices.