AAP

Rio Tinto will supply China's Sinosteel with 70 million tonnes of iron ore over the next five years after extending the companies' joint venture in Western Australia.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher, thanks to gains in biotechnology group CSL, retailers and some banking stocks.

Wall Street has closed little changed after two days of solid gains as investors digested the latest round of big bank earnings and financial shares kept bouncing back.

The Australian dollar has surged to a nine-month high after the chances of a May rate cut slimmed further.

Strong gains by the big miners and major banks have pushed the Australian share market higher for a third straight session.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

The price of gold has fallen from the previous day's three-week peak as the US dollar surged to a two-week high against the euro, and major stock markets rose after surprisingly upbeat trade data allayed concerns over China's economy. 

Wall Street have rallied for a second straight day, led by gains in beaten-down financial shares after JPMorgan's quarterly results.

The Australian dollar has pulled back from recent highs as the greenback finally finds its feet following days of losses.

Higher commodity prices and better than expected Chinese trade figures have fuelled strong gains on the share market.

Fortescue Metals Group says it is running ahead of its production target and may be able to increase its full-year guidance, but has cautioned it may not hit its cash cost target.

The Australian share market has opened nearly one per cent higher.

Global oil prices have hit four-month highs, hovering just under $US45 a barrel after a report that top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to freeze output ahead of a much-anticipated producers meeting on Sunday.

Wall Street has closed higher, led by surging energy shares that were buttressed by rising oil prices, as investors scooped up equities at the start of corporate earnings season.

The Australian dollar is soaring towards 77 US cents amid an oil price rally.

The Australian share market has closed higher due to gains among the major banks.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he will raise mining contractors’ concerns with Rio Tinto over the mining giant’s move to double its standard payment terms, while premier Colin Barnett went further, saying its move was not fair or reasonable.

There may have been a breach of corporate duties at Queensland Nickel, according to the company's administrators, which have recommended the Clive Palmer enterprise be liquidated.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

The Australian dollar has broken above 76 US cents as the greenback suffers and commodities strengthen.

Gold prices have risen to their highest in almost three weeks, setting the market on course toward $US1,300 an ounce, drawing confidence from continued ultra-low interest rates.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as weakness among the big banks outweighed strength in the energy and mining sectors.

A $1.6 billion deal between Telstra and the company building the national broadband network has prompted concern within the competition regulator.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

The oil price rout could be a blessing in disguise for Australia's liquefied natural gas producers. 

The Australian dollar has been buoyed by a rally in global oil prices.

The Australian share market regained some heavy early losses but still closed lower as weakness among the big banks weighed upon the bourse.

Federal Labor has pledged to hold a royal commission into misconduct in the banking and financial services sectors if the government ignores its call for an inquiry.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Gold has jumped almost two per cent as the dollar fell to a 17-month low against the Japanese yen following minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest meeting and falling global shares fell rekindled investor appetite for safer assets.

US stocks have dropped as oil prices slid and worries about the global economy resurfaced, dragging down the US dollar against the Japanese yen and causing investors to flee riskier assets.

The Australian dollar has slipped on the back of concerns over the declining construction sector.