AAP

Rio Tinto chief financial officer Chris Lynch will retire next year after more than four years in the role.

The Australian market has opened higher after key US markets hit fresh record highs amid easing concerns around North Korea.

The Australian dollar has inched higher to creep just above 80 US cents.

Gold prices have fallen after a European Central Bank (ECB) official calls for scaling back the bank's stimulus program, although losses were capped when weaker-than-expected US economic data raised questions about further interest rate hikes.

Brent oil prices have held near five-month highs and were on track for the biggest weekly gain since late July, on forecasts for rising demand and the gradual restart of US oil refineries.

The Australian share market has closed lower for a third consecutive session as North Korea's latest missile launch over Japan spooked investors.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce's annual pay has soared to nearly $25 million, catapulting him into the ranks of the best-paid bosses in Australian corporate history, after he successfully steered the carrier's turnaround with two consecutive years of profit.

The Australian share market has opened lower with investors nervous after North Korea fired a missile over Japan for the second time in a month, re-igniting geopolitical tensions.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower against its US counterpart which enjoyed a brief boost from US CPI data before turning back lower.

Oil prices have risen, with Brent closing at a five-month high, as the US dollar weakened and after a string of reports forecasting the market would tighten further as fuel demand increased.

Gold has rebounded from a two-week low as North Korea threatened the United States and Japan, and the dollar softened despite strong US consumer inflation data, which could allow further interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve.

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.