AAP

The Australian share market has opened lower, with the banking and energy sectors leading the losses, after Wall Street fell amid fears of a global trade war.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after US stocks suffered significant falls as concerns about a trade war loom.

US oil fell nearly two per cent, despite a larger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories, while global benchmark Brent was little changed, pushing the spread between the two to its widest in more than three years.

US stocks have fallen after the US moved to impose tariffs on metal imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, prompting retaliatory measures from some of its trading partners.

The Australian share market has finished higher after energy stocks rallied on stronger oil prices and local retailers gained on news Amazon will block Australian consumers from buying products from its overseas sites.

The background of WA Labor's latest candidate for Darling Range has been extensively scrutinised, the premier says, after the party's last MP and a parliamentary hopeful for the state seat proved to be embarrassments.

Software group MYOB has dumped a $180 million deal to acquire the Australian and New Zealand assets of Reckon's Accountant Group after discovering new information about the company and its competitors.

The Australian share market has opened comfortably higher amid easing concerns about political turmoil in Italy and after oil prices surged.

Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday as the US dollar wilted after data showed the US economy slowed slightly more than initially expected in the first quarter while political uncertainty lingered in Italy.

Oil prices surged on Wednesday, shrugging off an unexpected build in US crude stockpiles and rebounding from a four-day slump as Russia's central bank expressed caution on plans to boost oil supply.

The Australian dollar is three-quarters of a US cent higher after US stocks rose more than one per cent, amid hopes there might be a solution to the Italian political crisis.

The Australian share market fell below 6,000 points to a one-month low on Wednesday, with financial stocks slumping under investor concerns about possible economic fallout from Italy's political uncertainty.

Wilson Security has been ordered to repay $740,000 charged to Western Australian customers after missing 48,000 patrols.

Bankwest was overly optimistic about its business loans and failed to act on early warning signs of problems, the banking royal commission has heard

Australian shares have opened lower after US and European markets fell amid concerns about political instability in Italy.

The Australian dollar is lower after US stocks tumbled as political stability in Italy sparked caution among investors.

US crude futures fell more than $US1 on Tuesday on worries that Saudi Arabia and Russia will pump more crude to boost supplies after more than a year of reducing worldwide inventories.

Gold prices rose on Tuesday, as a deepening political crisis in Italy that provoked a second day of heavy selling on European financial markets.

The Australian share market has closed modestly higher as gains by major banks, healthcare companies and miners offset weakness in other sectors.

Optus has announced it is cutting 400 jobs, in addition to the 200 positions to be lost from its phasing out of the Virgin Mobile brand.

Shares in Galaxy Resources have surged after the lithium miner announced a $US280 million ($A371 million) asset sale deal with South Korean giant Posco.

The Australian share market is flat, with gains in financial stocks and BHP Billiton offsetting losses across other resource companies with little direction from overseas with the US and UK closed.

The Australian dollar is lower after European stocks lost ground in a quiet night of trade with US and UK markets closed for public holidays.

Oil prices extended losses on Monday as Saudi Arabia and Russia said they may increase supplies while US production gains showed no sign of slowing.

Gold prices fell for a second session on Monday as the US dollar firmed and after US President Donald Trump revived hopes that he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month, lowering political tensions and demand for gold as a safe-haven investment.

The Australian share market has closed lower after weaker oil prices weighed heavily on the energy giants and mining giant BHP Billiton.

Telstra shares have fallen after the telco's ratings were downgraded due to intense competition across its core businesses and lower margins.

Australian shares have opened lower, dragged down by falls in the energy sector following a steep drop in oil prices at the end of last week.

The Australian dollar is almost unchanged from where it finished Friday's local session, after a mixed session on metals markets and the major Wall Street stock indexes finishing slightly lower.

Oil prices fell more than $US2 per barrel on Friday as Saudi Arabia and Russia discussed easing production cuts that have helped push crude prices to their highest since 2014.

Gold prices dropped slightly on Friday, but still remained above $US1,300 per ounce as investors digested news of US President Donald Trump saying a meeting with North Korea's leader could still go ahead.

The Australian share market has closed flat, with a lack of domestic and international news leaving investors with little to direct their activity.