AAP

The Australian dollar is lower against its US counterpart as investors shy away from global commodity currencies, spooked by suggestions the United States may withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Oil prices have rebounded from early losses after US government data showed a larger-than-expected falloff in crude inventories, which encouraged buying after several days of selling on worries that a global crude glut was persisting despite output cuts by producing countries.

Gold has recovered from a two-week low in a late-day move, buoyed by short-covering as US Treasury yields turn lower and the US dollar pares gains after President Donald Trump proposes slashing the US tax rate on corporate profits.

The share market has closed higher for a fourth straight session, while the Australian dollar has fallen due to weaker-than-expected inflation numbers.

Civmec has begun constructing what it says will be Australia's biggest undercover shipbuilding facility in Henderson, confident it will have enough work even before offshore patrol vessel contracts are awarded by the federal government later this year.

Rising fuel and home prices have helped lift headline inflation into the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band for the first time in more than two years.

BHP Billiton has cut its full-year copper production guidance and outlined plans to sell some of its US shale acreage, while also announcing record iron ore production and reaffirming plans for its South Flank development in the Pilbara.

The Australian share market is powering ahead as investors pile in following strong gains on Wall Street and major equity markets across Europe.

Oil prices settled slightly higher on Tuesday in volatile trading, then were mixed after hours when an industry group's preliminary report showed a surprise build in US crude inventories.

Gold prices fell to a two-week low on Tuesday as markets became less concerned that far-right leader Marine Le Pen would win the French presidential election, increasing investor appetite for risky assets such as stocks while denting bullion.

The Australian dollar is lower against the US dollar following the surprise decision by US President Donald Trump to slap tariffs on Canadian lumber entering the US.

The Australian share market has closed in positive territory for a third consecutive session with strength in financial and energy companies offsetting weakness from the miners.

The board of cleaning and catering company Spotless has rejected mining services group Downer's $1.26 billion takeover bid, describing it as hostile and highly conditional.

The Australian share market has opened higher as investors welcome the increased popularity of centrist pro-Euro candidate Emmanuel Macron in the first round of the French presidential election.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart despite the US dollar index stengthening with traders squaring positions ahead of the weekend.

Oil prices have tumbled more than 2 per cent, notching the biggest weekly decline in more than a month on mounting evidence that US production and inventory growth were offsetting OPEC's attempts to reduce the global crude glut.

Gold prices have risen slightly with investors awaiting the first-round of voting in the presidential French election at the weekend and possible announcements about tax changes in the United States.

The Australian share market has closed higher, boosted by positive overseas leads and a lift in the price of iron ore.

A Perth real estate agent who forged signatures on fake contracts to pocket $30,000 has been banned from working in the industry for 15 years.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is again lifting mortgage rates for investor and interest-only loans, by as much as half a percentage point.

Woolworths can press ahead with the sale of Masters' property assets after winning a stoush with former US joint venture partner Lowe's.

The Australian share market is trading solidly higher after better-than-expected company earnings reports bolstered Wall Street's key indexes.

The Australian dollar is modestly higher against its US counterpart with investors seemingly willing to take on greater risks.

Oil prices have ended mixed after a seesaw trading session, as investors weighed rising US production against geopolitical uncertainties and comments from leading Gulf oil producers that an extension to OPEC-led supply cuts was likely.

Gold has steadied after its biggest one-day drop in more than six weeks, with a retreat in the US dollar arresting the slide, though moves were muted as markets await the outcome of the looming French presidential election.

The share market has broken a three session losing streak as investors returned to the major banks, and a telco sector where Telstra is facing new competition.

E-commerce giant Amazon has confirmed it will launch its full retail offering in Australia and is inviting local retailers to sign up.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has made a sluggish start to the year, with first-quarter shipments and production of iron ore affected by bad weather in Western Australia.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following three consecutive negative sessions, buoyed by gains in financial, real estate and retail shares.

Oil has tumbled to a two-week low, after a surprising build in US petrol inventories and a rise in domestic crude output that is partially offsetting cutbacks by other countries trying to reduce a global glut.

Gold has fallen one per cent as the US dollar and stocks have gained, though tensions over North Korea and upcoming French and UK elections underpinned demand in the safe-haven asset.

The Australian dollar is lower against its US counterpart which has retraced its losses from the previous session.