AAP

The Australian dollar is virtually unchanged after the European Central Bank downgraded its economic forecasts.

Gold has fallen one per cent as the US dollar jumped versus the euro after the European Central Bank (ECB) cut inflation forecasts, while a US jobs report that could provide clues on the timing of a Federal Reserve rate rise remains in focus.

Woodside Petroleum wants to boost exploration in Africa but says it cannot invest in countries that have onerous fiscal regimes.

The Australian market has closed sharply lower, led downwards by the big banks as investors decided to put their money elsewhere.

National retail spending has fallen for the first time in over a year, dragged down by a drop in spending on household goods, but WA's retail sector remained strong.

An organic farmer who took his GM-canola-cultivating neighbour to court claiming contamination faces losing his property after an unsuccessful appeal against a huge legal bill.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to be laying the groundwork for increasing the GST.

Shares in outdoor adventure gear retailer Kathmandu were sharply lower after the Briscoe Group's takeover offer remained unchanged while Kathmandu remained unmoved.

The Australian market has opened higher following a positive lead from Wall Street and figures showing steady US economic growth, but there were early signs of continued volatility.

US shares have put on a solid rally with investors piling back into blue chips and especially tech stocks as a Federal Reserve report depicted steady US economic growth.

The Australian dollar has rebounded from a six-year low on the back of US share market strength and a Chinese national holiday.

Oil prices have climbed in a modest rebound from a sharp sell-off after a mixed US petroleum report showed an increase in crude inventories and a decline in production.

Gold has eased as a rebound in stocks and the US dollar arrests a four-day rise, with uncertainty over the timing of a looming US rate rise limiting price moves ahead of key US non-farm payrolls data on Friday.

Australia's mining downturn has bottomed out despite ongoing volatility in global markets, Premier Colin Barnett says.

The Australian share market has finished in positive territory following a rally in China, but uncertainty on global markets continues.

Test cricket legend Dennis Lillee has sensationally resigned as president of the WACA as the organisation prepares to unveil its make-or-break plan to guarantee the future of the iconic cricket venue.

Harvey Norman's acquisition of a stake in a dairy farm may be mystifying for some, but not for executive chairman Gerry Harvey.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

World oil prices have tumbled as poor manufacturing data in China, the world's largest energy consumer, hammered the outlook for demand and shook market confidence.

US stocks have lost another nearly three per cent as new data offered more evidence that China's industrial machine is stalling.

Gold has gained per cent as the US dollar and global equities dropped on fresh signs of economic weakness in China and uncertainty over the timing of the Federal Reserve's first interest rate rise in nearly a decade.

The Australian dollar has hit another six-year low, with traders pessimistic ahead of the release of domestic gross domestic product figures.

An estimated $32 billion has been wiped from the Australian share market due to indications of further weakness in the Chinese economy.

Dwelling prices rose by an average of just 0.3 per cent in Australia’s capital cities in August, with Perth being one of the poorer performers, with prices down by 1.3 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate at a record low of 2 per cent for a fourth straight month.

Atlas Iron shares have lifted after the company moved its former boss Ken Brinsden to a non-executive role as it cuts costs.

Myer is looking to a Topshop-led overhaul to end years of weak sales growth in its department stores, and is asking investors for the cash to pay for it.

The Australian share market has opened lower, weighed down by the financial sector as uncertainty on global markets continues.

Nervous investors have sold down US stocks after surviving last week's turbulence, amid continued worries over the potential broader impact of China's slowdown.

Oil prices have surged as the US government lowered its domestic production estimate and OPEC said it was "ready to talk" to producers about multi-year low prices.

The Australian dollar is slipping south as China's stock market debacle continues to drive gloom on global equity markets.

Gold has steadied, bouncing up from session lows as oil prices rallied and the US dollar fell, after bullion felt earlier pressure on indications the Federal Reserve may still raise interest rates this year, despite recent market turmoil.