AAP

Dick Smith's management focused on increasing revenue at the expense of sustainable growth, administrators for the failed electronics retailer says.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Oil prices have surged five per cent, as investors' covering of short positions and a technical rebound helps lift the market from two-month lows, before dropping back.

Gold has seen its biggest one-day fall in three weeks as global equities rallied on easing political uncertainty in Britain and hopes for more economic stimulus, which in turn curbed demand for assets perceived as safe havens.

The Australian dollar is higher as improved risk appetite sweeps global markets.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher, led by financial heavyweights and mining giant BHP Billiton following a record close on Wall Street.

Indian business couple Pankaj and Radhika Oswal paid two advisers $US26 million ($A34.5 million) in hush money to hide what was really going on at their Australian fertiliser business, a court has heard.

Optus will refund $2.4 million to around 175,000 of its mobile phone insurance customers for failing to properly advise them about the product they'd bought.

The Australian share market has opened half a per cent higher.

The Australian dollar is weaker after global central banks signalled a new round of money printing.

Oil prices have fallen more than one per cent, hitting two-month lows on extended selling after the market's break below a key technical support level last week due to oversupply fears.

Gold has fallen as stock markets rally on the back of Friday's stronger-than-expected US jobs data and the prospect of more monetary stimulus from central banks, while the US dollar rose against a basket of currencies.

The Australian share market has closed around 2 per cent higher at a four-week high in the wake of a strong lead from US markets, more clarity over the recent federal election result, and the prospect of economic stimulus in Japan.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Crude prices have inched up in choppy trading but Brent has notched its largest weekly drop in nearly six months, as strong US jobs data and bargain hunting by investors pitted against seasonally weak consumption of oil.

Gold has slipped sharply after stronger-than-expected US payrolls data for June but rebounded quickly, underpinned by concerns over the outlook for financial markets following Britain's Brexit vote.

The Australian dollar is stronger after the coalition's declaration of election victory offset a greenback rally.

The share market has closed relatively steady as investors await the release of key US jobs numbers.

A government body has slashed its 2017 iron ore price forecast by nearly 20 per cent on expectations of slowing demand growth in an oversupplied market, underlining the threat to the federal government's finances.

Perth-based gold producer Silver Lake Resources is bullish after hitting its annual sales target and repaying all its bank debt.

Malcolm Turnbull will be returned as prime minister, according to renowned election analyst Antony Green, as postal vote flows strongly favour the coalition parties and three lower house independents have offered him supply and confidence.

Rio Tinto's decision to shelve development plans for its $US20 billion Simandou iron ore project in Guinea could risk the project falling into the hands of a Chinese competitor.

The ASX has opened 5.2 points, or 0.1 per cent, higher at 5,233.1.

Equities markets rose worldwide on a bump from positive US data, though US stocks and long-dated Treasury yields fell along with oil prices amid investor caution ahead of Friday's US nonfarm payrolls report for June.

Sliding oil prices have dragged the Australian dollar lower again, just after it recovered from a threat to the country's triple-A credit rating.

Gold slips as US jobs data supports the US dollar, ending a six-day rally that pushed the precious metal to more than a two-year high on concerns about Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

The Australian share market has snapped a two-day losing streak, despite the nation's AAA credit rating coming under threat.

Woolworths is at risk of making further price cuts in what will ultimately lead to a full-blown supermarket price war, analysts warn.

Medibank Private won't be able to provide annual tax statements on time to the majority of its customers because of a problem upgrading its technology.

The Australian share market has opened higher in the wake of a positive overnight session in the US, with every sector advancing.

Gold pared gains after rising to the highest in more than two years, as US equities reversed early losses, Treasury yields turned higher after hitting record lows and investors bought bullion as a haven from risk.

US stocks have reversed early losses to close higher, but bourses in most parts of the world fell on fears of instability in the European Union and global economic stagnation.