AAP

Gold prices have fallen more than one per cent to the lowest price in nearly six years, pressured by expectations that the United States will raise interest rates in December, and as the US dollar rose and stocks rebounded from losses suffered after Friday's attacks in Paris.

World oil prices dropped on Tuesday after Monday's one-off gain as supply forces continued to dominate the market.

The share market has closed more than 2 per cent higher after Australia's biggest bank and the country's central bank gave upbeat assessments on the national economy.

Engineering and construction contractor Monadelphous Group has flagged a 10 per cent fall in first-half revenue as market conditions remain challenging.

BHP Billiton is assessing dams at all its facilities around the world following the deadly dam disaster in Brazil.

The Australian share market has opened higher following a strong lead from the US and Europe, with investors' fears fading following the Paris terror attacks.

The Australian dollar back below 71 US cents, after financial markets sentiment turned sour following the fatal attacks in Paris.

Big gains by petroleum-linked equities helped lift US stocks in the first session after the terror attacks in Paris late on Friday.

Gold has pared gains, after an initial flow of safe-haven buying following the attacks in Paris slowed down and investors' focus returned to expectations for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December.

Crude prices pushed higher after US-led coalition jets targeted the Islamic State group's oil operations in retaliation following the deadly attacks on Paris.

There is growing speculation about the retirement of Mitchell Johnson, who was Australia's most-expensive bowler during a stunning fightback from New Zealand in the second Test, spearheaded by Ross Taylor's 290.

The Australian share market has closed almost 1 per cent lower as cautious investors mull the possible fallout from the deadly terror attacks in Paris.

The three groups bidding to build Australia's next fleet of submarines will come together for the first time to present details of their plans in a public forum in Adelaide.

Mining services company Boart Longyear's quarterly losses have widened on weaker volumes and the lower Australian dollar.

Agribusiness Elders is focusing on growth, having completed a significant turnaround with a $38.3 million full-year profit.

Takeover target Asciano has agreed to open its books to logistics firm QUBE Holdings, setting the stage for a likely contest among its suitors.

Australian shares have slumped in early trade, opening more than one per cent lower after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, weighed down by some weak US retail sales data and nervousness over the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Oil dived to two-month lows after the International Energy Agency said commercial crude stockpiles in developed nations had risen to a record high three billion barrels.

Gold has fallen back towards near six-year lows, on expectations the Federal Reserve is set to raise US interest rates in December for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Australian share market has suffered another steep fall on more Chinese growth concerns and US rate hike talk.

BHP Billiton shares have fallen to a 10-year low as a perfect storm hits the market heavyweight in the wake of the Brazilian mine disaster, which the company said today had claimed the lives of nine people so far.

Low commodity prices and falls in major overseas markets have caused the Australian share market to open almost two per cent lower.

The Australian dollar has eased off its highs gained following a startlingly strong jobs report.

Wall Street has been hit by a broad sell-off, dragged lower by downbeat views of the world economy and US rate rise concerns.

Gold has fallen to its lowest level since early 2010, under pressure from expectations the US Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates in December for the first time in nearly a decade.

Oil prices have sunk after the US government reported a big jump in US crude-oil inventories, reinforcing worries about the long-running global oversupply.

A Labor rival to Matt Keogh's bid to win preselection for the new West Australian federal seat of Burt has pulled out.

The Australian share market is slightly higher as the big banks gained ground after the release of a better than expected jobs report.

A rift is developing between the Western Australian Nationals leader and the Liberal premier over fly-in, fly-out (Fifo) worker camps, with speculation mounting it could end their alliance.

More than 200,000 ANZ customers will share in $13 million in compensation after the banking giant failed to pay them enough interest on their savings accounts.

Australia's largest rail freight operator Aurizon has defended its decision to carry out share buybacks rather than offering a special dividend.