AAP

The Australian dollar is lower after the US dollar made gains overnight and the Reserve Bank of Australia kept its interest rate unchanged after its board meeting on Tuesday.

Oil prices have settled lower after rising to the highest since July 2015 the previous day, while tension flared between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the Saudi crown prince tightened his grip on power.

Gold prices fell 0.5 per cent on Tuesday, retreating a bit from the previous day's rally as a stronger US dollar reduced the appeal of safe-haven investments, and oil prices also dipped.

The Australian share market is at its highest level in almost 10 years, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closing 1 per cent higher today and the Western Australia-focused BN30 index jumping 1.8 per cent to a new high.

The central bank has left interest rates unchanged for a 15th consecutive month, amid expectations inflation will stay low for some time.

The Australian share market is trading solidly higher at lunchtime, with upbeat overnight sentiment lifting the local markets to near 10-year highs and the S&P/ASX200 to twice breach the key 6,

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart amid escalating tension in the Middle East and as oil prices lift three per cent to a two-year high.

Oil prices have risen more than 3 per cent, hitting the highest since early July 2015, as Saudi Arabia's crown prince cemented his power over the weekend with an anti-corruption crackdown, while the US rig count fell and markets continue to tighten.

Gold has risen more than one per cent, extending gains as geopolitical risks drove investors to safe-haven assets after the metal's third-straight weekly decline.

The Australian share market has finished the session in negative territory, with declines in the big banks and the materials sector offsetting a day of strong gains for local oil stocks.

Mining explosives and chemicals manufacturer Orica made the final investment for its ammonium nitrate plant in the Pilbara in September, with final state government approvals expected by the end of

Mining explosives and chemicals manufacturer Orica made the final investment for its ammonium nitrate plant in the Pilbara in September with the final State Government approvals expected by the end

Westpac has lifted its full-year profit 3 per cent to $8.062 billion, boosted by 6 per cent growth in Australian mortgages.

The Australian share market has started the week flat despite positive leads from commodity and international share markets.

The Australian dollar is has resumed its slide against its US counterpart which, after briefly dipping on US jobs data, has continued to strengthen.

Oil prices have risen, with US crude touching a two-year high, strengthening after US rig data suggested drilling in the United States would throttle back.

Gold has fallen to a one-week low as consensus-beating US economic data pushed the US dollar higher, outweighing the impact of a lacklustre jobs report.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level since April, 2015, with broad gains led by mining, energy and industrial stocks.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher after a mainly positive lead from US markets, with gains from most of the big mining and energy stocks outweighing a mixed performance among the major banks.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher against its US counterpart after the greenback fell following the release of President Donald Trump's tax reform proposal.

Oil prices have edged up, steadying near two-year highs, with the outlook remaining upbeat as OPEC-led supply cuts have tightened the market and drained inventories.

Gold prices have pared gains after touching a two-week high, after Republicans in the US House of Representatives unveil legislation to overhaul the US tax system.

Seven West Media plans to make $25 million of job cuts in response to falling ad revenues and a highly competitive TV market.

The share market's rise to its highest level in nearly a decade has stalled as investors sold off National Australia Bank shares despite the bank's profit growth.

Australia's trade surplus has doubled due to a rise in mining exports that is expected to boost economic growth.

The consumer watchdog will review the standard of service NBN Co delivers to retailers as the largest retailer, Telstra, warns of slim margins due to the wholesale price NBN Co charges.

National Australia Bank will cut 4,000 jobs over the next three years even though it lifted full-year cash profit 2.5 per cent to $6.6 billion.

The Australian share market is barely holding on to gains in early trade after National Australia Bank results dampen investor sentiment despite overnight gains on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is higher against a strengthened greenback following strong economic data.

Gold has advanced as traders reposition themselves after the Federal Reserve says it will keep target interest rates unchanged for the time being.

Oil prices have dipped in see-saw trade, hitting their highest in more than two years and then retreating after weekly US government inventory data showed the latest crude stock draw was not as big as an industry trade group had reported.

Gains in all but one sector of the share market have lifted the All Ordinaries index above 6,000 points for the first time since the GFC.