AAP

The Australian share market has closed higher after a strong lead from US stocks and with more investors looking to the share market as a potentially better alternative to property.

The end of the mining construction boom continues to cause economic pain for Western Australia but strong employment growth paints a very positive future, according to Treasurer Ben Wyatt.

Commonwealth Bank has turned down the chance to signal a fresh start at the scandal-hit lender, instead promoting insider Matt Comyn to "rebuild trust" as its new chief executive.

The Australian share market is trading higher following a strong lead from Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is unchanged against the US dollar after Wall Street got a boost from healthcare stocks and a solid economic growth data.

Oil prices rose on Friday after hitting fresh three-year highs in the previous session, as weakness in the dollar continued to underpin prices with crude on track for a weekly gain.

AWE has urged shareholders to take no action on a takeover offer from the state-run energy giant China Energy Reserve and Chemical Group, which remains unchanged from its initial bid of 73 cents per share, after it lodged its bidder's statement.

The Australian share market has finished marginally in the red with only a resilient mining sector keeping a soft market out of deeper losses.

Gold miner Northern Star Resources expects to meet its full-year sales target despite a fall in December quarter gold sales.

David Jones' South African owner Woolworths will take a $713 million write-down on the value of the department store chain as Australia's tough retail market bites harder into the business.

The Australian share market has opened lower following a night of mixed trading in the US and dips across Europe, with only resource and energy sectors showing real gains.

The Australian dollar is stronger against the US dollar as the greenback weakened further after the US Treasury Secretary spoke in favour of the trend.

Oil prices rallied on heavy volume, boosted by a record 10th straight weekly decline in US crude inventories, though reduced refining activity and rising production signalled US stocks could rise in coming weeks.

Financial advisers at the big banks have been found to be biased towards their employer's products, which in some cases has left their customers worse off.

The share market gained ground as demand for energy, healthcare and some financial stocks offset the impact of weaker commodity prices on miners.

The Australian share market is higher in morning trade, following positive leads from US and European markets.

The Australian dollar is a smidgen higher against its US counterpart after US lawmakers agreed an interim funding bill but there was no major economic data to inspire the languishing greenback.

Oil has risen more than one per cent, with benchmark Brent crude hitting $US70 a barrel for the first time in a week, boosted by healthy world economic growth prospects and expectations for continued production curbs by OPEC, Russia and their allies.

Gold prices have risen as the US dollar has fallen to fresh three-year lows, but an end to uncertainty created by a three-day US government shutdown capped gains.

The share market has posted its best daily gain since October as investors welcomed an end to the US government shutdown.

The Australian share market has rallied in early trade, buoyed by a positive lead from Wall Street and strong showings from the big banks and healthcare stocks.

The Australian dollar once again has edged above 80 US cents as the US government shutdown weighs on the greenback.

Gold has steadied as the US dollar has hovered near three-year lows, but bullishness in the wider financial markets as the US government shutdown ended capped the metal's gains.

Oil has settled higher after US dollar fluctuations and the restart of some Libyan oil fields caused the market to vacillate, with prices testing lower before rallying to levels just below three-year highs.

Australian shares have closed lower due to weakness from the major banks and investor caution over the US government shutdown.

Domain's shares have plummeted following the surprise resignation of its chief executive, Antony Catalano, which comes less than four months after the real estate classifieds business listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Australian shares are flat in early trade despite key indexes around the world having finished the week firmly stronger.

The Australian dollar is lower against a US counterpart weighed down by the threat of a US government shutdown.

Oil prices have fallen, breaking a four-week winning streak after a rally that had taken benchmarks to three-year highs, as investors sold positions on re-emerging US production concerns.

Gold prices have risen slightly as the dollar hovered near a three-year low on heightened fears of a US government shutdown, but the precious metal was still on track for its first weekly drop in six weeks.

The Australian share market has closed lower on concerns around a possible US government shutdown, while the Aussie dollar is trading at a four-month high.

The Australian dollar is fractionally shy of 80 US cents, with the US dollar weakening ovenight amid fears of a possible federal government shutdown.