AAP

Woolworths has completed the sale of its profitable Home Timber and Hardware franchise as part of its $1.5 billion exit from the home improvement sector.

National Australia Bank has completed the sale of 80 per cent of its life insurance business to Nippon Life, and expects a loss of between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion on the deal.

Perth's ‘Taj Mahal on the Swan’, the unfinished, derelict mansion owned by Pankaj and Rhadika Oswal, is finally being demolished. CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MORE PHOTOS.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Oil prices are higher after settling mixed while posting their second straight monthly gain on OPEC's planned output cuts, even as scepticism about the cartel's pledge grew after data suggested another record high in its production.

Gold prices have fallen in volatile trading as safe-haven demand dwindled after stocks in major markets largely recovered from a sell-off on easing concerns about Deutsche Bank.

The Australian dollar is higher against the US dollar as global appetite lifts risk currencies against the greenback.

The share market has ended the week with a fall, hurt by financial and resources stocks amid concerns about Deutsche Bank's future and the possible implications of its financial woes.

The former chief executive of a Western Australian shire, who stole almost $600,000 over four years and gambled it away, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

A company has been fined $110,000 over the death of a worker at a mine in Western Australia's East Pilbara region.

Struggling retailer Woolworths is considering offloading its petrol stations, not long after striking deals to rid itself of its loss-making hardware business.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

WTI oil has jumped more than one per cent and Brent has neared $US50 a barrel on optimism over OPEC's first planned output cut in eight years, although gains were limited by doubts the reduction would make a substantial dent in the global crude glut.

Gold is up a shade after the US dollar flip-flopped in the wake of mixed US data and as scepticism grew over whether OPEC members would be able to implement production cuts that could fuel inflation.

The Australian dollar has fallen against its US counterpart after global risk appetite took a hit on news hedge funds have concerns about Deutsche Bank.

The share market has closed at its highest level in a month after major oil producers surprisingly agreed to cut production, giving energy and resource stocks a boost.

Clive Palmer has lost a bid to sue the liquidators of Queensland Nickel for not returning assets to his possession when the company collapsed, with a judge saying the proposed lawsuit would be a "startling affront to justice".

Perth-based Avita Medical has struck a distribution deal in Iran for its spray on skin products for the treatment of burns, wounds and skin defects, potentially paving the way for a new market for the the group.

The state government will establish a rural fire service in response to January's deadly bushfires at Yarloop, but it won't be ready in time for this summer.

Shares in Programmed Maintenance Services have slid more than 20 per cent after the labour hire and maintenance group slashed its earnings guidance for the current financial year.

The Australian share market has jumped nearly one per cent in early trade on the back of positive news for the energy sector after OPEC struck a deal to limit crude output.

Wall Street ended higher after an OPEC agreement to limit crude output fuelled a rally in oil and more than offset nervousness about a tight race for the US presidency.

The Australian dollar is edging up against the greenback after OPEC producers agreed to cut output.

Oil prices have settled up nearly six per cent after OPEC struck a deal to limit crude output at its policy meeting in November, its first agreement to cut production since 2008 and after the market crashed on oversupply.

Gold prices have fallen for the second straight day and hit a one-week low, pressured by earlier strength in the US dollar and as investors assessed Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony before a congressional committee.

The share market has closed slightly higher after slipping from its early gains.

AGL Energy has forecast a lift in underlying profit for the current financial year while also announcing a near $600 million share buy-back and a higher dividend payout as it benefits from strong electricity margins.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher.

Crude oil futures ended the session giving back most of what they gained the previous day.

Gold has fallen as the US dollar and stocks gained ground on the view that Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton got the better of Republican rival Donald Trump in their first debate, denting the safe-haven appeal of bullion and bonds.

The Australian dollar is slightly weaker against its US counterpart after the greenback rose following the first US presidential debate.

The Australian share market has finished lower, however it did claw back some earlier losses following signs Hillary Clinton may be leading Donald Trump after the first US presidential candidate debate.