AAP

The Australian dollar is continuing to slide as oil prices sink.

Gold has fallen to its lowest in almost two weeks ahead of a Federal Reserve statement that is expected to give clues on the pace of future US rate rises.

Mining, energy and banking stocks have pushed the Australian share market more than 1 per cent lower amid profit taking.

The Pacific National rail business and the Patrick container terminal business are set to come under new ownership after Asciano agreed to a $9.05 billion takeover deal that is designed to sidestep regulatory concerns.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has put a positive spin on the local jobs outlook, but says another rate cut could be on the cards because of weak inflation.

Western Australian opposition leader Mark McGowan has been given the blessing of caucus after Stephen Smith's failed tilt to topple him.

Fortescue Metals Group has played down a downgrade by ratings agency Moody's, saying it will have no impact on its debt structure.

The Australian stock market has opened slightly lower off the back of light trading on Wall Street overnight.

Wall Street has closed little changed in light trading as consumer discretionary gains countered losses in energy shares and investors laid low ahead of a US Federal Reserve meeting.

The Australian dollar has slipped on the back of an oil price slump.

Gold has turned lower and fallen below $US1,240 an ounce, as stock markets and the US dollar gained, and investors squared positions ahead of closely watched policy meetings of US and Japanese central banks this week.

The Australian share market has closed higher despite weak Chinese economic data weighing on positive sentiment from Wall Street.

The challenge to WA Labor leader Mark McGowan looks all but over, after the shadow cabinet expressed unanimous support and called on Stephen Smith to withdraw immediately.

Mining giant Rio Tinto plans to cut around 170 jobs at its Pilbara operations in Western Australia over the next few months, unions have been told.

Aurizon has sealed an eight-year extension to an existing coal haulage contract with mining giant BHP Billiton, giving the troubled freight rail operator some respite.

The Australian share market is off to a firm start for the week, helped by gains on Wall Street on Friday and a steady improvement in oil prices.

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.