AAP

Australian shares have opened flat as gains in energy companies offset losses across the resource sector.

The Australian dollar has risen above the 76.50 US cent mark, continuing its strong gains against its US counterpart.

Oil prices have retraced early gains amid mounting tensions between the United States and Iran, but prices have still been supported by evidence that OPEC and other big exporters are cutting production.

Gold prices have risen to an 11-week high after the US Federal Reserve gave no clear signal on the likelihood of a March interest rate increase in its latest statement, prompting another drop in the US dollar.

US stocks ended little changed on Thursday as the recent rally continued to stall following President Donald Trump's latest comments on trade and the policies he will pursue.

The Australian dollar has soared past 76 US cents on the back of better than expected trade figures but the share market has fallen as investors continue to be influenced by concerns about US President Donald Trump.

Premier Colin Barnett has criticised the mining industry over its prominent media campaign against Nationals leader Brendan Grylls and his proposed mining tax hike, on the first day of the election campaign.

National Australia Bank has returned nearly $35 million to 220,000 superannuation members who were charged for advice they did not get, while Bankwest refunded more than $4.9 million in mortgage interest payments after overcharging about 10,800 offset account customers for almost a decade.

Investor demand for energy and resource companies, including Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search, are driving Australian shares higher in early trade.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart even though the greenback recovered some ground following stronger-than-expected US private jobs and manufacturing data.

Oil has pared gains after weekly US supply data suggested a crude glut may persist, despite signs that Russia and OPEC producers are delivering on promised supply reductions.

Gold prices have recovered some of their lost ground as the US dollar pared gains after the US Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate steady at its first meeting since President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Stronger commodity prices have sparked a rally in mining and energy stocks and helped the share market outperform most major global markets.

Telstra has retained its spot at the top of the list of Australia's most valuable brands, according to an annual global survey.

A Labor candidate in the Western Australian election who was dismissed as a Geraldton councillor last year is abandoning her bid to enter state politics.

Australian shares are flat as stocks hover between the influence of higher commodity prices and global uncertainty about the US economy and President Donald Trump.

The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart with the greenback set for its worst start to the year since 2006.

Oil prices have risen on a weak US dollar and news that the world's top producers cut production this month more than forecasters had expected.

Gold has jumped to a one-week high as unnerved investors buy bullion after the US dollar was hit by US President Donald Trump's comments on currency devaluation by other countries.

US stocks have fallen, dragged down by economic growth-sensible sectors, amid disappointing earnings and continued concern over the priorities of the Trump administration.

The share market has fallen for a second straight session in the wake of uncertainties surrounding the immigration policies of US President Donald Trump, while news from fertility clinic operator Virtus Health and education provider Navitas disappointed.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams has announced her third tilt at state parliament, nominating as an independent for the South Metropolitan region in the Legislative Council, while the WA Liberals remain tight lipped about a potential preference deal with Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

Rail operator Aurizon has taken a $321 million hit from write-downs and charges but has maintained its full-year guidance for underlying earnings.

Fortescue Metals Group looks set to achieve its full-year guidance after outlining steady iron ore shipments and further cost cuts in the December quarter.

Australian shares have opened lower, following the trend of major international markets which have fallen on concern about the economic impact of US President Donald Trump's immigration stance.

The Australian dollar is unchanged against its US counterpart but is higher against the euro and the yen.

Oil prices have fallen as news of another weekly increase in US drilling activity has oil forecasters concerned that production cuts from other producing nations may not reduce the global supply glut as much as had been hoped.

Gold prices have risen as political uncertainty created by US President Donald Trump's move to ban people from seven Muslim-majority countries, and by elections in Europe, support prices.

The Australian share market has surrendered all its gains for the year so far as investors pondered uncertainties around the travel and immigration policies of US President Donald Trump and exercised caution ahead of company reporting season.

Education is at the centre of the state opposition's election promises for the second consecutive day, with Labor promising to spend $50 million upgrading a high school in the Liberal-held seat of Balcatta.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining's production guidance for the full year remains unchanged despite flat output in the December quarter.

Australian shares have fallen across the board amid global investor uncertainty about the US economy.