AAP

RugbyWA is out of voluntary administration after Rugby Australia waived a legal debt of more than $1 million.

The Australian maker of a sonar-based shark detection system, which was recently adopted for trial in southern California, has dropped its toothy name as it chases bigger fish.

The Australian share market has ended the day comfortably higher with an end-of-week rally across most sectors, led by a jump in energy stocks.

The Australian share market has gained ground in early trade, thanks to a lift in oil prices and a positive lead from Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is flirting with the 75 US cent mark after continuing its slide against its steady US counterpart.

Gold has fallen one per cent, hitting a four-month bottom below its recent trading range, as Wall Street stocks rose and the US dollar strengthened on optimism about passage of a US tax overhaul.

Oil prices have climbed more than 1 per cent on Thursday due to a threatened strike in Nigeria and as traders cover shorts after sharp losses the previous day brought on by an unexpectedly large rise in US stocks of refined fuels.

Australian shares have closed higher after a strong day for the big four banks and most other heavyweight stocks.

Australian shares are higher in early trade, ignoring a negative lead from the US where strength in technology stocks were unable to offset losses in energy shares after oil prices dropped.

The Australian dollar has slipped against its US counterpart which has continued strengthening amid optimism for US tax reform, lawmakers' efforts to avert a government shutdown.

US crude has tumbled nearly three per cent on Wednesday, its biggest daily decline in more than two months, after a sharp rise in US inventories of refined fuel suggested demand may be flagging, while US crude production hit another weekly record.

The share market has closed lower, due to significant falls by healthcare and energy stocks and weakness in the materials and industrial sectors.

The share market has closed lower, due to significant falls by healthcare and energy stocks and weakness in the materials and industrial sectors.

The share market has closed lower, due to significant falls by healthcare and energy stocks and weakness in the materials and industrial sectors.

Australia have grabbed a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with a 120-run win at Adelaide Oval, where Josh Hazlewood effectively snuffed out England's hopes of victory during his opening spell on day five of the pink-ball Test.

Incitec Pivot has warned that its 2020 and 2021 full-year profits will be hit by the end of a contract to supply ammonium nitrate prill to mining giant BHP Billiton.

The Australian economy expanded at a slower-than-expected rate in the three months to September, however WA’s domestic economy appears to be on the mend, growing 0.9 per cent for the quarter.

The Australian share market has slipped in early trade, as overnight declines on Wall Street and a pullback in commodity prices weigh on investor sentiment.

The Australian dollar is weaker against its US counterpart, and back teasing with the 76 US cent mark.

Oil has edged higher, supported by strong demand, expectations of a drop in US crude inventories and an OPEC-led deal to extend oil output cuts.

Gold has dropped one per cent to a two-month low as the US dollar rises against a basket of currencies and US stocks rebounded as investors assessed details of the US tax overhaul legislation.

The share market has lost ground as falls in the heavyweight financial, mining and health care sectors outweighed a good session for retailers.

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent, with the central bank remaining concerned about sluggish spending and wages growth despite an improving jobs market.

The Australian share market has fallen in early trade as the big banks remain in the doghouse with investors.

The Australian dollar is steady against a stronger greenback which lifted following the US tax reform bill's passage through the Senate.

Oil has fallen more than one per cent on on profit-taking as the market eyed signs of rising US production, though prices remained close to recent two-year highs thanks to last week's decision by OPEC and other producers to extend output cuts.

Gold prices have fallen toward the four-week lows hit last week as the US dollar has strengthened after the US Senate approved a major tax overhaul and the market looked ahead to a meeting of the Federal Reserve later this month.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has appointed former Anglo-American Plc executive Simon Thompson as its new chairman to succeed incumbent Jan du Plessis.

The Australian share market has closed steady, as regulatory risk weighed on the country's major banks and surging iron ore futures rallied the miners.

Crown Resorts will "vigorously defend" Federal Court proceedings after the casinos operator was hit with a class action alleging it did not give shareholders enough information about risks it was taking in China.

Grocery wholesaler Metcash has lifted first-half profit by 24 per cent to $92.9 million, despite a drop in sales across its supermarkets business, with WA sales hit by increased competition and soft economic conditions.

The Australian share market is slightly higher in early trade, with investors uncertain of the direction after a volatile Friday session on Wall Street.