AAP

Australia's biggest airline, Qantas, said its net profit fell as the benefits of lower fuel prices were offset by the reduction in net passenger revenue and after a one-off gain in the prior year.

The Australian market has opened lower amid investor caution ahead of the annual central bankers meeting at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The Australian dollar has recouped some of its previous session losses against its US counterpart, unable to let go of the key 79 US cents mark.

Gold prices have drifted lower, pressured by a firmer US dollar as investors await cues on further interest rate rises from central bankers meeting in Jackson Hole this week.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher, led by gains in the resources and a steady energy sector, offsetting a flat day for the major banks.

The Ten Network Holdings' billionaire shareholders Lachlan Murdoch and Bruce Gordon have been given the all-clear by the competition watchdog to make a joint takeover bid for the troubled free-to-air broadcaster.

The dual citizenship debacle engulfing Australian politics will return to the High Court in Canberra for a hearing on October 10, 11 and 12 as the legitimacy of several parliamentarians remains uncertain.

Oil and gas producer Santos has reduced its half-year loss to $US506 million ($A640 million) even though it had an impairment charge of $US689 million on account of lower oil price forecasts.

A merger between Southern Cross Austereo and affiliate partner Nine Entertainment isn't on the cards even if the federal government's media reforms get through the Senate.

A recovery in commodities prices and ongoing cost reductions have helped diversified miner South32 swing to a solid full-year profit.

The Australian market has opened lower after Wall Street's key indexes fell following President Donald Trump's threat to shut down government if Congress doesn't fund his Mexico border wall.

The Australian dollar has crept back above 79 US cents - just.

Oil prices have risen after US crude inventories declined for the eighth straight week and as a storm approached the Gulf Coast with the potential to disrupt oil and refined products output.

Gold prices have edged up, drawing support from political uncertainty in the United States and the weak dollar before a major central banking conference there this week.

The share market has reversed earlier gains to close lower after falls by financials and healthcare companies outweighed gains in the energy and telco sectors.

Cricket Australia has recovered almost 3,000 scalped tickets for December's Ashes Test in Perth.

The Western Force has won its right to appeal the Australian Rugby Union's decision to axe the team, while the ARU is set to be on the receiving end of a fresh wave of criticism after knocking back a large financial offer from billionaire Andrew Forrest.

Woolworths' heavy food discounting has paid off, with the supermarket giant's sales growth beating analysts' expectations.

Vocus Communications has reported a net loss of $1.46 billion after making heavy write-downs on goodwill for some of its recent acquisitions and abandoned paying a dividend to redirect funds to projects and debt reduction.

The Australian market has opened higher after Wall Street rose following a report that President Donald Trump's administration was making progress on tax reform.

The Australian dollar has fallen against its strengthened US counterpart and looks to be heading back toward the 79 US cent mark.

Oil has inched up, lifted by expectations of another crude stockpile drawdown in the United States but price gains were limited amid the reopening of Libya's largest oil field.

Broad based gains have driven the Australian share market higher with mining stocks leading the way, supported by a lift in iron ore prices and BHP Billiton's return to a full-year profit.

Seven Group Holdings' shares have surged despite a profit slump, as the diversified group boosted equipment sales to the mining industry and gained $540 million from selling its WesTrac China business.

Ten Network says it did not tell shareholders that James Packer was pulling the plug on his financial support for the troubled broadcaster because his backing was not a factor in its share price.

BHP Billiton has joined its peers in sharply lifting dividends as stronger prices for iron ore, coal and petroleum helped the global miner post a solid return to profitability.

The Australian market has opened solidly higher following the mainly positive lead of Wall Street's key indexes.

The Australian dollar has extended its gain against its US counterpart as the greenback weakened.

Oil prices have fallen nearly two per cent ahead of monthly contract expiration, pulling back from last week's rally built on signs the global market is starting to rebalance from chronic oversupply.

The Australian share market has closed lower, with most sectors in the red as investors reacted negatively to a mixed bag of company earnings reports.

Shares in BlueScope Steel have fallen more than 20 per cent despite its full-year profit more than doubling, after the company offered a mixed outlook on the back of rising costs.

Investors have dumped shares in Vocus after Australia's fourth-biggest telco ended a $2.2 billion bidding war for the company, saying the two suitors were unable to support the buy on the board's terms.