AAP

Gold prices have eased as the dollar came off its lows and world stock markets scaled fresh highs.

The share market has gained ground as strength in the mining and energy sectors outweighed falls by retailers, while the Australian dollar returned to a three week high.

Tourism WA will open shop again in Sydney after nearly seven years as part of moves to boost the industry's contribution to the sluggish state economy.

The company operating Topshop's Australian stores has entered voluntary administration, becoming the latest in a list of retailers to stumble amid sluggish consumer spending.

The Australian share market has opened lower as selling has resumed across the heavyweight financial sector.

The Australian dollar is sharply higher against its US counterpart, breaching above 75 US cents after the Federal Reserve's minutes ruffles investor sentiment and the greenback.

Oil prices have retreated slightly as investors reacted to a smaller-than-expected US petrol stocks draw as they awaited the outcome of discussions in Vienna between OPEC and other oil-exporting countries on whether to extend output cuts.

Gold prices have risen as the US dollar has slipped and minutes of the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting suggest the US central bank was cautious about raising interest rates.

The Australian dollar is weaker as the first ratings downgrade on China by Moody's since 1989 renewed concerns about the economic strength of Australia's key trading partner. 

Indian coal miner Adani does not need the financial backing of an Australian bank, former Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh says.

Bankrupt former coal baron Nathan Tinkler and two of his closest business allies have been banned from managing a company for at least three years for their roles in the collapse of several businesses.

Malcolm Turnbull has written to the Western Australian government seeking its interest in a ‘city deal’ for Perth.

The Australian market has opened slightly higher after US president Donald Trump's budget plans bolstered Wall Street overnight.

The Australian dollar has fallen back against its US counterpart which has lifted against a basket of major currencies ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting minutes.

Gold prices have fallen, as the US dollar rebounded from 6-1/2-month lows and investors shrugged off heightened political risk following a deadly suicide attack in Britain.

Oil prices have settled a bit higher as expectations of an extension to OPEC-led supply cuts overshadowed a White House proposal to sell half of US petroleum reserves.

The share market has closed lower after falls by the banks and miners offset gains from healthcare, retail and energy companies.

Estimated payouts under the proposed bank levy suggest it will raise less than predicted by the federal government, analysts say.

Woodside Petroleum plans to boost cash flow through expansion of existing projects over the next few years and has ruled out investment in any major greenfield projects in the near term.

The share market has opened in positive territory after strong leads from Wall Street.

Gold has extended its biggest weekly gain in five weeks as the US dollar falls against the euro, while US political turmoil fuells demand for bullion as a safe-haven and reduces expectations of rapid Federal Reserve interest rate rises.

The Australian dollar is solidly higher against its US counterpart as the greenback continues to soften.

Oil prices have risen as growing confidence that top exporters will agree to extend supply curbs this week and speculation that the cuts could be deepened further have pushed prices to their highest levels in more than a month.

Australian shares have shaken off their weakness of last week courtesy of a bounce in energy and mining stocks as speculation of tightening world oil supply boosts commodities.

Westpac says the government's new bank levy will hit its second-half profit by $65 million and will be the equivalent of a 4.3 per cent cut to dividend over a full financial year.

The share market has opened higher following strong leads from Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is firmly higher against its US counterpart as the US dollar index falls to its lowest level in six months.

Gold has risen as the US dollar softened on political turbulence in the United States, boosting bullion's safe-haven appeal.

Oil prices have risen, closing out a second week of gains on growing expectations that OPEC and other producing countries will agree next week to extend output cuts.

The Australian share market has closed lower as investors offload banking stocks amid political uncertainty in the US.

A Perth company has been fined $56,000 for illegally clearing 18 hectares of land, destroying native vegetation and wildlife.

The Australian market has opened slightly weaker despite a positive lead from US markets overnight, with modest gains among the miners failing to offset declines by big banks.