AAP

The Australian share market has finished slightly lower for a second day running as mining stocks dipped but better-than-expected jobs growth helped lift the Australian dollar back around US80 cents territory after an overnight dip.

Myer's six Perth stores appear to have escaped the chop, with the retailer instead closing an additional three interstate stores as it struggles to turn around sluggish sales amid weak consumer spending and growing industry competition.

Shares in Vocus Goup have held steady despite a proposed class action alleging the telecommunications provider engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" and breached disclosure obligations.

The Australian market has opened slightly lower, ignoring the positive lead of Wall Street and most major international bourses.

Crude oil prices have risen after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said a global surplus of crude was starting to shrink, even though US data showed another big increase in domestic inventories due to Hurricane Harvey.

Gold prices have fallen to a one-and-a-half-week low, erasing earlier gains as the US dollar index jumped, though a retreat in global stocks after Tuesday's record high prevented deeper losses.

The share market surrendered its early gains to close relatively steady as investors practised caution ahead of US inflation data and Australian jobs figures out later in the week.

Premier Mark McGowan says he is disappointed internal documents have been leaked to the opposition following the state budget last week.

The Turnbull government insists it's still considering a clean energy target but one that takes into account the reliability and affordability of power.

Malcolm Turnbull is staring down coalition backbenchers concerned that a proposed clean energy target could push up power prices and undermine coal-fired power.

Soaring power bills and other hits on the household budget mean consumers remain downbeat despite a better jobs outlook, an economist says.

The Australian market has opened higher follow a solid lead from Wall Street and European stock markets.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as the US dollar rallies driven by a rise in US Treasury yields.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday after OPEC forecast higher demand in 2018 and Russia and Venezuela confirmed their commitment to a production-cutting deal to reduce the global crude glut.

Gold bounced up from the lowest level in more than a week on Tuesday as the US dollar pared gains and US President Donald Trump said UN sanctions on North Korea are "nothing compared to what ultimately will have to happen."

The share market has closed higher for a second consecutive session, due to strong gains by the banks and miners.

The Nationals WA say they will block measures targeting big business that were unveiled last week as part of the state government's budget repair plan.

Australian shares have got off to a good start as investors look to build on a solid lead from Wall Street overnight.

Gold miner Evolution has confirmed the receipt of several offers for its Edna May gold mine in Western Australia, and is determining whether a sale will be in the best interest of shareholders.

Oil prices have risen as key US refineries began restarts following Hurricane Harvey, which may help revive crude oil processing, while fuel prices fell as Hurricane Irma is likely to clip demand for petrol and diesel.

Gold prices have fallen more than one per cent from the previous session's 13-month high as relief that North Korea did not conduct a missile test over the weekend helped to lift global stocks, the US dollar and bond yields.

The Australian share market has closed higher as investors took some comfort from North Korea refraining from any more provocative missile launches over the weekend.

Tabcorp expects to complete its $11 billion mega merger with gaming rival Tatts on November 1.

The Australian share market is higher in early trading as heavy falls from the mining giants are offset by strong gains by the heavyweight banks and healthcare sectors.

The Australian dollar is almost half a cent lower against its US counterpart, falling back from its 81 US cents of Friday, despite the greenback itself weakening.

 US crude prices have tumbled down more than three per cent on worries that energy demand would be hit hard as Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms in a century, headed toward Flori

Gold has held near its highest in more than a year as the US dollar dropped and weak economic data lowered expectations of a December interest rate rise in the United States.

The Australian share market has ended the day down, while the Aussie dollar gained sharply on strong housing data and a weaker greenback

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has signalled he won't be bullied by the gold mining industry, which is opposing royalty rate hikes that were unveiled in the state budget.

Australia's financial sector regulator has appointed three panel members to inquire into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's governance, culture and accountability.

The Australian market has opened hardly changed, but in the green

The Australian dollar is sharply higher against its US counterpart and well above the 80 US cent mark after European Central Bank commentary failed to announce any tapering of its bond-purchasing program.