AAP

Gold rose to a seven-week high after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting showed the US central bank was in no hurry to raise interest rates.

The share market has capped off its best week in almost four years as strength in the financial and resources sectors drove a fifth straight day of gains.

Employment growth is expected to have slowed in September after enjoying several months of strong gains.

Telstra has been ordered to cut the price it charges other telcos to access its copper wire network, raising the prospect of lower phone and internet bills for consumers.

The Australian share market has opened more than one per cent higher following a strong lead from Wall Street and the release of the US Federal Reserve's September policy meeting minutes.

The Australian dollar is firmer against the greenback, which sagged after US Federal Reserve policymakers appeared unsettled by signs of a global economic slowdown.

US stocks have risen after Federal Reserve meeting minutes lifted confidence the US central bank would not move quickly to hike interest rates.

Gold prices have turned lower after Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed its was unsettled by signs of a global economic slowdown.

The share market has overcome a late slide to post a fourth straight gain, its longest winning streak since August.

The transport minister's refusal to provide information to parliament on the controversial Perth Freight Link was not appropriate, a report from the auditor general has found.

Macquarie Group is forking out $8.2 billion for a major car leasing and finance business from ANZ, and seeking financial support from shareholders to fund the deal.

The Australian share market has climbed more than one per cent in early trade on the back of firm leads from overseas equities and commodities markets.

Oil prices have fallen after the release of the latest US oil data showed increasing inventories and an unexpected rebound in production.

Gold has eased, falling from a two-week high on the firmer US dollar while losses were capped on expectations that the US Federal Reserve will delay raising interest rates until next year.

The Australian dollar has climbed higher ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve's minutes.

Wall Street stocks have pushed higher, despite some disappointing earnings news from Yum Brands, Adobe Systems and others.

The share market has recovered from a midday slump to post a third straight gain, driven by a sustained rally among energy companies.

Insurance Australia Group's new boss expects to maintain the company's focus on Asia for growth.

Telstra's retail boss Gordon Ballantyne, who helped revive the telco giant's fortunes in the mobile market, will leave in December after more than five years with the company.

Mining giant Glencore says its Australian coal mines will be shut down if the long downturn in commodity prices makes them unprofitable.

A resident fearful of losing her home under the controversial $1.76 billion Perth Freight Link project has wept while making her submission to a senate inquiry.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher, led by energy stocks and the major banks.

The Australian dollar has continued to outperform on the back of the Reserve Bank's decision to leave the cash rate on hold.

Global oil prices have extended gains, hitting one-month highs on hopes for an easing of the global oversupply of crude.

Gold has risen to its highest in nearly two weeks as the US dollar fell in the wake of disappointing US economic data that raised doubts over a Federal Reserve interest rate rise this year.

Major US internet company shares have fallen after the top EU court ruled in a case involving Facebook that an agreement on cross-Atlantic data transfers was invalid for privacy reasons.

The share market has gained ground for a second straight session as confidence in China's economy strengthens, and a weaker US dollar benefits resources companies.

Credit information provider Veda has backed a US takeover after the price tag was bumped up to $2.5 billion.

The chances of an interest rate cut before Christmas are diminishing, with the Reserve Bank of Australia still on hold and barely changing its commentary from a month ago.

The Australian share market has climbed more than one per cent in early trade, following strong cues from US and European equities, on hopes of a delay in a US Federal Reserve rate increase.

The Australian dollar is higher as global risk appetite firmed overnight after fears of a US interest rate rise eased.

Oil prices have rallied, following equity markets higher and still finding support from a drop in US drilling activity that could ease the global oversupply.