AAP

The Australian dollar is a little higher against its US counterpart which has remain unchanged.

Gold has steadied below $US1,250 an ounce after its biggest weekly drop in more than six months as markets anticipated an interest rate risee from the US Federal Reserve this week.

Oil have risen, overcoming declines early in the session, after a North Sea pipeline shut for repairs and investors focused on commodities following an explosion in New York.

Mineral Resources has launched a $484 million takeover bid for oil and gas group AWE amid the ongoing battle for control of the Waitsia gas field north of Perth.

The Australian share market ended the first trading day of the week slightly higher amid lower volumes ahead of this week's key data releases.

A joint venture between engineering groups Downer and Ausenco has secured an engineering, procurement and construction contract for OZ Minerals' Carrapateena copper gold project in South Australia.

Optus will compensate almost 9,000 customers after failing to provide them with the fast national broadband network speeds it promised.

The Australian share market has started higher as local investors build on the positive momentum from Wall Street on Friday.

The Australian dollar is a little lower against its US counterpart which has strengthened following strong US jobs data.

Oil prices have risen almost two per cent on Friday, helped by rising Chinese crude demand and threats of a strike in Africa's largest oil exporter.

Gold prices prices hovered above a four-month low on Friday and were on track for their biggest weekly fall since May after progress on US tax reform fuelled optimism about the US economy and boosted the dollar.

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.

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 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.

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.