AAP

The Australian dollar is rallying and there's a chance it could break through the 76 US cents level this week.

Gold has fallen one per cent, as the US dollar rebounded and oil and world stock markets rose, after bullion extended the prior session's gains to a 13-month high touched in early trade after the European Central Bank's announcement of additional easing.

Former federal minister Stephen Smith declared on Sunday he was prepared to take over the leadership of the state Labor Party, but was roundly criticised by supporters of current leader Mark McGowan.

A modest rally among banking and energy stocks has lifted the share market.

Clive Palmer has promised to rehire 550 workers facing the axe at his troubled north Queensland nickel refinery.

The Australian share market has opened flat.

Gold has rebounded by more than one per cent as the euro bounced back from a six-week low against the US dollar after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi indicated further interest rate cuts in the eurozone are unlikely.

The Australian dollar is lower, after gaining for more than a week, amid a strong euro rally.

US stock indexes have ended a volatile session little changed after the European Central Bank reduced interest rates but ECB chief Mario Draghi confounded investors who expected multiple rate cuts by saying more were unlikely.

Workers at Clive Palmer's ailing north Queensland nickel refinery have been sacked and will have to wait to learn whether they will be rehired.

The share market has posted a slight fall as investors cautiously wait on news from a policy meeting of the European Central Bank.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher off the back of a rise in US stocks, spurred by the energy sector.

US stocks have risen in low volume, led once more by the direction of the price of oil and energy sector shares.

The Australian dollar broke through 75 US cents overnight, extending a recent rally into a tenth day.

Gold fell on Wednesday as oil prices and world stock markets rose, and expectations for further monetary easing from the European Central Bank prompted some investors to take profits after the metal's rally to 13-month highs last week.

Local companies Avita Medical, Nuheara and ResApp Health have all featured in this fortnight’s Techboard list, which ranks the online presence of Perth tech firms.

The Australian share market has finished on a strong note, rebounding from falls in early trade as investors bought into the banks.

It seems Australians took a break from the property market over the festive season, sending home loan approvals to a seven-month low.

CUA has enjoyed a strong lift in new home loans and a rise in half-year profit, but its boss says the result was held back by restrictions on investor lending.

The consumer watchdog has sought further information from miner Fortescue Metals Group on its proposed tie-up with Brazilian iron ore giant Vale.

The Australian share market has opened lower after weak Chinese economic data and lower commodity prices saw global markets slide.

US stocks have ended near the lows of the day as energy shares tumbled alongside the price of oil and soft Chinese trade data rekindled fears that the global economy is weaker than expected.

Gold has turned lower, falling below last week's 13-month high on profit-taking as the market's recent rally appeared to lose momentum ahead of the next US Federal Reserve meeting.

Iron ore prices have maintained their huge gains, helping the Australian dollar's rally roll into an eighth day.

Smaller iron ore miners were the big winners today after the iron ore price surged overnight, whereas Fortescue Metals Group failed to sustain Monday's big gains despite announcing a joint venture and investment deal with Brazil's Vale.

BHP Billiton will axe almost 300 jobs from its Mount Arthur coal mine in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

A former staffer to two Western Australian premiers and current Vincent Mayor John Carey is seeking Labor preselection for the seat of Perth at the next state election.

Energy and materials stocks are leading the Australian share market higher in the wake of a meteoric rise in iron ore prices and a strong performance by oil.

Gold rose on Monday, hovering just below last week's 13-month high as the US dollar turned lower, while a fall in average US earnings lessened expectations the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its next policy meeting.

The Australian dollar has surged to an eight-month high on the back of a "spectacular" jump in iron ore prices.

The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 index closed higher on Monday as a spike in energy shares offset sharp declines in large-cap technology names, which dragged down the Nasdaq.

The Australian share market has finished the session marginally higher, but has gained more than 4 per cent over the week, led by the big banks and miners.