AAP

The Australian dollar has lost steam after hitting a six-week high as the Reserve Bank reaffirmed it's neutral stance.

The Australian bond market has continued to slide as global sentiment remains elevated two days out from the Brexit vote.

BHP Billiton is looking for $800 million in new savings from its coal operations as the global miner maintains an optimistic outlook for the coal business.

A rise among most of the big banks has helped give a modest boost to the Australian share market as investors exercise caution ahead of the UK poll on whether Britain should leave the European Union.

The Australian share market has opened flat despite Wall Street and European markets rallying on increased expectations Britons will vote to stay in the European Union.

China's Nanshan Group has completed its purchase of a 19.98 per cent stake in Virgin Australia from Air New Zealand.

Gold fell after polls showed the campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union regaining some momentum, sharpening appetite for assets seen as higher risk and sparking a sharp rally in stocks.

The Australian dollar is targeting 75 US cents as global sentiment lifts in the lead up to the Brexit referendum on Thursday.

Gains by the major banks, energy stocks and big miners have helped push the Australian share market well over one per cent higher as the oil price lifted and investors considered an improved likelihood of Britain staying in the European Union.

Metcash's core food and grocery business suffered a significant fall in profit as the group tried to keep up with the major supermarkets' price cuts, with the company warning of ongoing pressure in Western Australia following Aldi's expansion into the state.

A 32-year-old man has died on a Rio Tinto mine site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The Australian share market has opened higher, led by financial and resource companies, including Macquarie Group, Commonwealth Bank, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

The Australian bond market is down with sentiment remaining stronger after weekend Brexit campaigns were suspended in the wake of the killing of a British MP.

Gold rose more than one per cent on Friday, supported by a softer dollar and cautious interest rate comments by a voting US Federal Reserve policy member, and was headed for a third week of gains.

A surge in oil prices has buoyed he Australian dollar ahead of the UK's Brexit referendum vote this week.

The share market has ended a rough week with a gain as anxiety about the UK's possible exit from the European Union eases.

The consumer watchdog is launching an industry-wide investigation into Australia's new car retail business following its probes of Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler.

Agribusiness Elders is raising $102 million from investors so it can buy back the group's hybrid securities and simplify its share structure.

The Australian share market has opened higher, driven by banking and resource heavyweights.

Gold turned lower on Thursday, as sterling bounced higher and US stock markets came well off their lows following the suspension of Britain's campaign for next week's referendum after a member of Parliament was shot dead.

Wall Street has closed higher as investors digest the implications of a British MP's death on the country's referendum on whether to leave the European Union.

The Australian dollar has bounced after sentiment turned sour overnight as Brexit concerns intensified.

The share market's early gains have evaporated as concerns about Britain's possible exit from the EU continue to dominate.

Close to $1 billion has been added to Crown Resorts' market value as investors speculate a demerger of the casino operator will enable billionaire James Packer to privatise part of the group.

Unemployment rose in Western Australia last month, while the national rate held steady at 5.7 per cent, with no full-time jobs added in three months.

The Australian share market has opened higher, led by banking and resource companies.

The Turnbull government is resisting calls for a bailout of troubled steelworks Arrium as Labor pledges $100 million in assistance.

The US dollar has fallen along with bond yields after the Federal Reserve left US interest rates unchanged and hinted at a less aggressive outlook for rates.

The Australian dollar has picked up pace after the US Federal Reserve left rates on hold and flagged a more gradual tightening path.

OZ Minerals has reached a $24 million settlement with Zinifex shareholders who received a stake in the company following its merger with Oxiana eight years ago.

The share market has posted a second straight day of sharp falls on fears Britain will leave the European Union.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten says a Labor government would review the NBN Company board in the wake of questions about the impartiality of its chairman.