AAP

Leasing across Perth's rental market increased by 17 per cent in August, according to new data from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.

JB Hi-Fi has struck a deal to buy whitegoods retailer The Good Guys for $870 million.

Iron ore exporter Fortescue Metals says it will repay $US700 million ($A925 million) of its debt, generating annual interest savings of about $US26 million.

Housing investment and construction in Australia are likely to wane in coming years, with an accompanying drop in their contribution to the strength of the economy, the Reserve Bank says.

The Australian share market has opened confidently higher.

Oil prices have risen as a softer US dollar and stronger US equity markets helped crude futures rebound from an early drop pressured by worries about increased drilling activity for oil in the United States.

The Australian dollar has edged higher as the greenback lost some ground after a Federal Reserve official cast doubt on the chances of a US rate rise in September.

Gold has steadied, recovering from earlier weakness after dovish comments from US Federal Reserve policymakers lowered expectations for a September US interest rate rise, and the greenback fell.

The Australian share market has slumped to a two-month low as investors dumped stocks from all sectors on fears the US Federal Reserve could hike interest rates this month.

Health insurer BUPA has admitted to rejecting more than 7,000 claims over five years without having the refusal assessed by a doctor as required by law.

The corporate regulator has blasted the insurance industry over expensive, poor-value add-on policies sold to car buyers, warning there are "serious problems" in the market that must be fixed immediately.

Elders is expecting underlying earnings to jump as much as 24 per cent after it decided to stop long-haul live animal export shipments and sell its short-haul operations.

The Australian share market has opened sharply lower.

Gold prices have fallen again as hawkish comments on US interest rates from a top Federal Reserve official helped lift the US dollar, and as buyers continued to cash in on this week's price rally.

The Australian dollar is lower as investors speculate that central banks may finally be reaching a tipping point in their efforts to ease policy.

Oil prices have fallen almost four per cent, paring most of the previous session's rise as traders noted that a tropical storm was behind this week's unexpected slump in US crude inventories.

The Australian share market has fallen, with the big banks among the worst performers, after the European Central Bank failed to provide more economic stimulus.

Former federal MP Clive Palmer held "meetings" by himself about Queensland Nickel and had broad powers to control what the company did.

Origin Energy has elevated the head of its gas and power retail business, Frank Calabria, to chief executive, replacing veteran CEO Grant King.

The Australian share market has continued on its downward path, with banks and retail-focused shares weighing despite a bounce in the energy sector.

Oil prices have surged four per cent, with Brent briefly touching $US50 a barrel for the first time in two weeks, after a surprisingly huge drawdown in US crude stocks as Gulf Coast imports slumped to a record low.

The Australian dollar has slipped more than half a US cent against the greenback after the US dollar rebounded against a basket of currencies.

Gold has fallen after the European Central Bank held its key interest rate at a record low but refrained from adding new stimulus as some investors had expected.

The share market has closed moderately lower due to falls by the big banks and miners on a day with little news to influence investors.

A proposed solar farm near Cervantes has been allocated $5.5 million worth of grants by Australia’s federal renewable agency.

Diversified miner South32 chief executive Graham Kerr earned $4.1 million in 2015-16, but lost more than a third of his short-term incentives due to fatal workplace accidents.

Westpac has refunded $20 million to about 820,000 customers after failing to clearly disclose which credit card transactions attract foreign transaction fees.

The Australian share market has opened opened lower.

The Australian dollar is steady against the US dollar as investors await more local and international data, plus comments from the Reserve Bank of Australia Governor designate Philip Lowe.

US crude prices have soared nearly three per cent in post settlement trading after US inventory data showed what might be the largest weekly stock draw in more than three decades.

Gold has dipped, losing momentum due to profit-taking after it soared by the most in over two months in the previous session on economic data that weakened the case for an imminent US rate hike.

The share market has closed higher following a strong lead from Wall Street and encouraging local economic growth.