AAP

Treasurer Scott Morrison is willing to consider any new applications to buy Australia's largest private landowner after knocking back the foreign acquisition of S Kidman and Co Ltd on national interest grounds.

Global miner BHP Billiton has committed to its progressive dividend as it counts the cost of the Brazilian mine disaster, which left 11 people dead.

The competition watchdog has cleared oil and gas giant Shell's proposed $70 billion takeover of rival BG Group, saying it will not substantially alter the domestic natural gas market.

Programmed Maintenance Services has announced the retirement of one of its founders and the addition of a new director, while also outlining the new structure of the business following its acquisition of Skilled Group earlier this year.

The Australian share market has opened higher after Wall Street rallied on indications from the Federal Reserve that rates will be raised in December.

The Australian dollar has been weighed down by a slump in global oil prices.

Wall Street stocks have marched higher, greeting Federal Reserve meeting minutes that suggest a likely interest rate increase in December based on greater confidence in the economy.

Gold prices have inched higher after tapping a nearly six-year low as the market reacted to the minutes of a recent US Federal Reserve meeting that gave mixed signals about a possible rate rise in December.

Global oil prices have moved modestly higher as traders weighed a small gain in US inventories and a Federal Reserve report that supported expectations of a December interest rate rise.

Labor senator Sam Dastyari has accused oil and gas multinational Chevron of being the "biggest tax dodger" in Australia.

The Australian share market has closed higher despite a poor start as investors bought into the major banks.

South 32 chief executive Graham Kerr said the company expected to achieve its targeted operations savings this year, while it announced it would keep South African production at its jointly owned Samancor venture in suspension pending a strategic review.

Wages growth is grinding along at its slowest pace in nearly two decades but a rebound in employment is tipped to help offset this next year.

Explosives maker Orica has flagged improving earnings for this financial year after posting a $1.27 billion full-year loss due to a huge asset writedown.

The Australian share market has opened lower after a bomb threat in Germany prompted a reversal of fortunes on Wall Street and rattled investors.

Retail giants Walmart and Home Depot jumped on solid earnings but the broader market finished little changed after a choppy session.

The Australian dollar is firmly back above 71 US cents after it got a boost from some stronger US inflation figures.

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.