AAP

The Australian share market has opened higher.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower despite a weaker greenback following signals from the US central bank that its in no hurry to raise interest rates.

Gold has steadied, after moving in both directions following the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's July meeting, which showed the central bank's policymakers expected an interest rate hike soon but were still awaiting more data.

Oil's rally has extended for a fifth day, helped by a weaker US dollar and an unexpected drawdown in US crude and petrol but traders said the runup may not last, pointing to galloping Saudi output and technical factors.

The share market has closed flat as big losses by QBE Insurance, CSL and Commonwealth Bank were offset by gains among big miners and some financial stocks.

Property developer Stockland is reaping the benefits of a surge in house and land sales driven by strong population growth, job growth and low interest rates.

Western Australia is catching up with South Australia and the Northern Territory in introducing a container deposit scheme for drink cans and bottles, likely from mid-2018.

James Packer's Crown Resorts still sees Macau casinos as a good investment despite its joint-venture operations there continuing to weigh on profits.

QBE Insurance Group shares have dropped as much as 11.5 per cent after the insurer downgraded its full-year gross written premium guidance, citing pressure on product pricing and the value of its investments following a sharp drop in first-half profit.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Oil has settled up nearly two per cent, hitting five-week highs for a second straight day as sources at OPEC spoke of Saudi Arabia's desire for higher crude prices while Russia met the producer group to discuss the market.

Gold has cut its gains after mixed US economic data failed to give clarity on the prospects for a US interest rate rise this year and the US dollar pared losses from a seven-week low.

The Australian dollar is lower against its US counterpart after the greenback strengthened following earlier losses and the Reserve Bank minutes failed to give clear direction.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as investors put aside a positive lead from record-setting US markets to digest local company earnings results.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive Ian Narev took home $12.3 million in total pay in the last financial year, up more than 50 per cent due to performance-related share bonuses.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

The Australian dollar has risen slightly ahead of the release of official minutes from the Reserve Bank board's August interest rates meeting.

Gold has risen as the US dollar has edged lower as expectations dwindled that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rate this year.

Oil prices have hit five-week highs, gaining 10 per cent or more in a three-day rally as speculation intensified over potential producer action to support prices amid a crude glut.

A rally among the big four banks has lifted the Australian share market slightly higher as company reporting season rolled into its second week.

Shares in JB Hi-Fi have soared after the retailer beat its full-year profit guidance following the collapse of rival Dick Smith.

Western Australia is unlikely to pocket a larger share of the GST pie before its voters go to the polls early in 2017 after Treasurer Scott Morrison warned any change in the distribution formula would be made gradually and was "down the track".

Newcrest Mining will pay a dividend for the first time in three and a half years despite a 12 per cent drop in full-year profit.

A new uranium mine in the eastern Goldfields region has been recommended for approval, with a number of strict conditions imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Energy giant Santos will take an impairment charge of $US1.5 billion ($A2 billion) against the carrying value of its Gladstone liquefied natural gas project in Queensland.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

The Australian dollar has fallen against the US dollar, despite initially bouncing on disappointing US economic data.

Gold has turned slightly lower as the US dollar pared losses, with investors grabbing profits after the metal jumped more than one per cent following unexpectedly flat US retail sales data.

Oil has risen two per cent, clinching its biggest weekly gains since April, after a short covering rally was triggered by comments from Saudi Arabia's oil minister in the previous session about possible action to help stabilize the market.

The share market has closed only modestly higher, despite US markets hitting record levels overnight, weighed down by weakness from market heavyweights Westpac and Telstra.

Australia's Campbell sisters have both missed the medals in the Olympic 100-metre freestyle final, with Bronte finishing fourth and Cate sixth, but the nation's quad rowers took home silver.

One potential buyer of Eagle Boys Pizza is having second thoughts after receiving "superficial" financial details of the troubled pizza franchise.