AAP

US stocks ended a choppy session slightly higher on Monday as gains in energy shares offset losses in financials ahead of quarterly corporate earnings later this week.

The Australian dollar has crept higher against its US counterpart to a slither above 75 US cents.

Oil has risen toward $US56 a barrel, supported by another shutdown at Libya's largest oilfield over the weekend and geopolitical tensions following last week's US missile strike on Syria.

An international hedge fund holding 4.1 per cent of the shares in BHP Billiton's UK-listed stock wants the global miner to scrap its dual listing in Australia and the UK and spin-off its US petroleum business for listing on the New York share market.

The Australian share market has hit its highest level in two years amid investor optimism after events in Syria did not escalate and a range of other positive economic developments.

Western Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry is urging fans to put their money where their mouth is after the threat of the club's extinction intensified over the weekend.

The Australian share market has opened higher, despite major indices on Wall Street ending last week fractionally lower in a choppy session.

Gold has hit a five-month high after US jobs data dampened expectations that the US Federal Reserve would raise interest rates and amid rising global security tensions.

The Australian dollar has fallen further against its US counterpart, dropping below the 75 US cent mark.

Oil prices have risen, trading near a one-month high and closing the week up 3 per cent after the United States fired missiles at a Syrian government air base, raising concern that the conflict could spread in the oil-rich region.

The Australian share market and the dollar have recovered after coming under pressure following shock US missile strikes on Syria, which sparked a surge in world oil and gold prices.

Waste water treatment company De.Mem has debuted strongly on the Australian Securities Exchange, after completing a $4.5 million initial public offering.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi is unrepentant after she and and two of her factional allies were censured over a public rebuke of the council's deputy.

Treasurer Scott Morrison insists Western Australia's low share of the GST carve up is not his doing, saying he understands the state's frustration but won't intervene.

The Australian share market has opened higher, supported by energy and financials, following small gains on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is fractionally lower against its US counterpart as its downward trajectory continues.

Oil prices have risen around one per cent, posting a fourth straight day of gains, but analysts remain cautious about record-high US crude inventories.

Gold has edged lower, pressured by a firmer US dollar on the back of upbeat US unemployment data and as some investors sold to redeem profits after bullion's recent advance.

The share market has closed lower due to falls by the major banks, energy producers and miners.

Richard Goyder will add Qantas board membership to his chairmanship of Woodside Petroleum and the AFL Commission after he steps down as Wesfarmers managing director.

The competition watchdog has launched legal action against Apple for allegedly refusing to look at defective devices repaired elsewhere.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has been hit with an additional tax bill of $447 million over a dispute on transfer pricing of commodities to its Singapore marketing hub.

The Australian stock market has opened lower, hurt by losses across the banking, energy and resource sectors following falls on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is lower against its US counterpart despite the US dollar falling from a three-week high.

Oil prices are a shade lower, easing from one-month highs, as support from an outage at the largest UK North Sea oilfield was offset by a surprise increase in US crude inventories to a record high.

Gold has slipped from one-month highs after better-than-expected US jobs data boosted US bond yields and the US dollar but losses were limited after minutes from the Federal Reserve's March policy meeting were released.

The share market has gained ground as higher commodity prices fuelled strong gains by mining and energy companies.

Biotech Botanix Pharmaceuticals has raised $7.4 million in a placement of new shares to help it fund the further development of its dermatology products that contain a synthetic form of the cannabis compound, cannabidiol.

The owner of Westfield shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand says store space across its 39 properties is almost completely occupied.

The state government's decision to abandon a planned $600 million prison and instead reduce inmate numbers has been criticised by the Liberal opposition, while prison officers have backed the proposal.

Fairfax Media has announced new cuts to its editorial operations aimed at delivering about $30 million in annual savings.

The Australian share market is in positive territory in early trade, as investors focus on a bounce in commodities prices, despite a tepid session on Wall street.