AAP

The Australian dollar has rallied as the greenback continues to be pounded on reduced odds of a near-term US rate rise.

Stocks have gained on markets worldwide, while the US dollar edged lower against major currencies after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said US interest rate hikes are likely on the way, but made no reference to the timing of any increase.

The share market has clawed back some of its recent losses to end its worst week in two months on a positive note.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has been fined $9 million over its involvement in cartel behaviour among Australia's biggest laundry detergent suppliers.

The Australian share market has opened higher, buoyed by major financial, mining and retail companies.

The Australian dollar is flat on mixed economic data.

Wall Street closed slightly higher, as fresh data gave a rosier view of the economy and further gains for healthcare shares countered declines in energy names.

The mining giants and major banks have dragged the share market to its third consecutive day of falls.

ALS shares surged more than 25 per cent after the testing, inspection and certification group rebuffed a $2.7 billion takeover bid from two private equity firms, setting the scene for a potential bidding war.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

Gold has turned negative, as the US dollar briefly pared losses following US manufacturing data and US equities came off their lows, while the market tried to assess how close the Federal Reserve is to raising interest rates.

The Australian dollar is flat on mixed US markets.

US stock prices rose slightly on the back of a late rebound in oil prices and an encouraging economic report from the Federal Reserve, but equity prices in other major world markets fell on worrisome Chinese and European factory data.

Speculation about Premier Colin Barnett's leadership is being perpetuated by those who deliberately seek to undermine the government, Treasurer Mike Nahan says.

The share market has fallen after surprisingly strong economic growth figures cast doubts on the prospects of another interest rate cut.

The Australian share market has opened around one per cent lower

Spot gold has risen one per cent, rebounding from the prior session's three-and-a-half-month low, but remains on track for its biggest monthly decline since November on US dollar strength and growing expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve interest rate rise.

The S&P 500 wrapped up its third straight month of gains on a flat note as weaker energy shares countered a rise in safe-haven utilities.

The Australian dollar is nearly flat as markets await the release of key economic data.

The Australian share market has closed in red territory, dragged lower by retail giants Wesfarmers and Woolworths as well as banking stocks.

China's biggest private airline operator is set to take a 13 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, boosting the Australian carrier's access to the burgeoning Chinese travel market.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Gold has fallen below $US1,200 for the first time since mid-February, as comments from Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen on the likelihood of higher US interest rates sent the US dollar to two-month highs.

The Australian dollar is a touch higher after the greenback fell from a two-month high.

Premier Colin Barnett has revived long-discussed plans for an indigenous art gallery at Elizbeth Quay, partly inspired by the success of Hobart's MONA gallery, as a key part of his goal to boost boost Perth as a tourist brand.

The Australian share market has closed slightly higher following a lacklustre performance from the heavyweight banks and mining stocks.

Miner and metals producer Alumina has fended off allegations it is trying to obstruct the global demerger of US aluminium giant Alcoa, and says it will defend its rights in US court proceedings.

The Australian share market is trading flat, as investors await key local and international data this week to determine the direction of the market.

The Australian dollar is weaker after the US Federal Reserve again said it expected to raise interest rates in coming months.

Gold has fallen one per cent to a three-month low, extending losses after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated the US central bank could raise interest rates within months if the economy continues to improve, boosting the US dollar.

The share market has closed at a nine-month high in a third straight day of gains, boosted by a stronger financial sector.

Telstra customers have rebuffed an offer of a free data day in compensation for yet another network outage, preferring instead for a discount on their phone bill.