AAP

Oil prices have tumbled as expectations of another increase in US inventories added to worries about the global oversupply.

Gold has fallen to a four-week low as stock markets strengthened and the US dollar firmed, though prices remained hemmed into a narrow range ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting.

Joe Hockey believes the Abbott government's economic plan is the best friend of consumers, even as another indicator pointed to tumbling confidence.

Australian shares have risen for the second straight session, helped by strong gains in overseas markets and rally in banking stocks.

Insurance giant QBE Insurance Group is being sued by Australian investors in a $200 million class action over the company's 2013 share price collapse.

The number of home loans approved in July was unchanged in Western Australia, while the national rate rose 0.3 per cent according to seasonally adjusted Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Australians should look beyond their disappointment with recent sluggish economic growth and take heart from the economy's ability to cope with shocks, Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe says.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent higher in the wake of strong leads from overseas markets.

Gold prices have firmed as a retreat in the US dollar index helped the metal end a four-day losing streak.

US stocks have powered higher, rallying with most global equity markets following a rise in Chinese stocks and improved eurozone economic data.

Oil prices have ended mixed with Chinese trade data showing imports and exports shrank in August, adding to concerns about energy demand prospects.

The Australian dollar has pushed its way above 70 US cents, helped by an outburst of optimism in global financial markets.

Independent candidate for the Canning by-election Teresa van Lieshout has had a warrant issued for her arrest after failing to appear in court.

The Australian share market has lifted more than 1.6 per cent despite US markets not trading and mixed economic data.

Dozens of construction workers are appealing a court decision that could result in each of them being fined $10,000 for attending a rally in Perth.

The Australian market has opened higher after gains in Europe overnight and positive economic data out of Japan.

Oil prices have slid amid market volatility, as investors assessed the outlook for US interest rates.

The Australian dollar has slipped a little lower following a night where trading volumes were low because US markets were closed for the Labor Day public holiday.

Gold has eased back towards its lowest since mid-August as stock markets firmed and the US dollar steadied, and after US payrolls data failed to provide clarity on the timing of a Federal Reserve rate rise.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower in the wake of weak leads from US and European markets and the absence of any catalyst to push it into positive territory.

Westpac is aiming to attract more than one million new customers over the next two years and will spruce up the look of its website and its bank branches.

A mine worker has died after a truck rolled over at Hanking Gold Mining’s Southern Cross project, while another was fatally injured at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley operation in New South Wales.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a new six-year low after US jobs figures increased the chances the Federal Reserve will lift its interest rate later this month.

Gold prices have fallen after US payrolls data failed to allay uncertainty over the prospect of a near-term interest rate rise from the Federal Reserve.

Visa has been fined $18 million for abusing its market power to prevent rival currency conversion services on payment terminals that use its cards.

The share market has closed slightly higher in a see-sawing session ahead of the release of important jobs figures in the US.

Eminent Western Australian historian Geoffrey Bolton has died at the age of 83.

Woodside Petroleum boss Peter Coleman will head a new advisory group on Africa as the federal government trumpets investment over aid.

Australian shares have dipped again in early trade despite gains by the miners and a positive lead from European markets.

Oil prices have risen for a second straight day after the European Central Bank indicated more stimulus could be on its way for the eurozone.

US equity markets have given up early gains as investors turned cautious ahead of the August jobs market report, which could weigh heavily the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision.