AAP

The Australian dollar has fallen slightly against the US dollar despite there being strong gains on Wall Street overnight.

Gold prices fell on Tuesday as the US dollar was firm for much of the session and precious metals investors turned cautious ahead of central bank meetings this week, US payrolls data and the announcement of the next US Federal Reserve chair.

Oil prices settled higher again, notching a monthly gain of more than five per cent, but analysts said bullish sentiment that has driven Brent crude to its highest in more than two years could encourage US producers to export more oil.

The share market has faded in afternoon trading to close lower, due to weakness among the big banks and miners.

Shares in Woolworths have risen after the supermarket chain unveiled strong first quarter food sales that continued to outpace the growth of rival Coles.

Australian stocks have made a positive start despite an overnight retreat on Wall St after news President Donald Trump's promised tax cuts may take longer to eventuate.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart.

Brent oil has closed at its highest level since July 2015 and US crude has closed at a peak not seen since February on expectations OPEC-led production cuts would be extended beyond March, although such gains are likely to spur more US production.

Gold has risen ahead of a series of central bank meetings and US President Donald Trump's expected announcement of the next Federal Reserve chair, and amid a slightly weaker US dollar.

The share market has closed higher on a day of broad-based gains led by energy companies, banks and industrial stocks.

Labor has met broad opposition to its call for independent reviews of all future trade deals, with Trade Minister Steve Ciobo saying there are already multiple checks in place and a key union vowing to campaign against to the opposition plan.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is confident wages growth will pick up over the next couple of years as the jobs market continues to strengthen.

The Australian share market has started the week stronger after solid technology earnings helped lift Wall Street higher.

Gold prices have edged higher, reversing earlier losses after the Catalonian parliament's independence declaration from Spain led investors to seek safety from political upheaval.

The Australian dollar is higher against its rallying US counterpart, as Wall Street equities found fresh record highs on strong company earnings.

Oil prices have jumped about two per cent, with global benchmark Brent crude rising above $US60 per barrel, on support among the world's top producers for extending a deal to rein in output and as the dollar retreated from three-month peaks.

The share market has fallen on fears the Turnbull government could lose its one-seat majority following the High Court's ruling disqualifying Barnaby Joyce from parliament because of his dual-citizenship.

Andrew Forrest has detailed how he plans to build "the most popular rugby competition in the world", with the mining billionaire hoping to obtain approval from both World Rugby and the Australian Rugby Union in the next three weeks.

Macquarie Group's board has approved an on-market buyback of up to $1 billion after posting a first-half profit of $1.25 billion.

The Australian share market is trading higher in early trade after a higher close on Wall Street overnight, but gains are likely to be capped ahead of a key high court decision on the legality of t

The Australian dollar is sharply down against its US counterpart which has gained following the European Central Bank's tapering announcement.

Gold has fallen to a near-three-week low as the US dollar gains against the euro after the European Central Bank said it would extend the lifespan of its bond-buying program.

The share market has rallied to close higher, as ANZ's baking rivals recovered from early falls and most of the big miners overcome weaker commodity prices.

Laws enabling the state government to dump a councillor who acts improperly will be introduced in parliament this year, and be drafted to allow for Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to be dealt with retrospectively, Premier Mark McGowan says.

Origin Energy says it will buy 41 petajoules of gas from its part-owned Australia Pacific LNG project in Queensland for the domestic market.

JB Hi-Fi's sales growth has slowed, but it still expects total sales to jump 21 per cent this financial year.

Qantas says first-half underlying profit could rise as much as 11.5 per cent, but has warned rising fuel costs will start to weigh on earnings after that.

ANZ Banking Group chief executive Shayne Elliott says the lender is watching its mortgage book "like a hawk" for signs of stress as households rack up record debt to meet rising house prices.

Fortescue Metals Group is on track to the meet its annual iron ore shipments forecast but has downgraded its guidance on the price it expects to realise.

The Australian market has opened lower on Thursday in the wake of a retreat on Wall Street overnight where poor earnings results pushed major indices to their worst close in seven weeks.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a three-month low against its US counterpart, on the back of weaker than expected inflation data.

US oil prices have slipped after a surprising increase in US crude inventories, while US petrol futures rallied one per cent on a sharp fall-off in inventories.