AAP

US stocks have powered higher, joining European equities in rallying on confidence the Federal Reserve will delay hiking interest rates in light of some poor economic data.

A historic Pacific free trade deal will transform Australia and usher a new era of economic growth, the federal government predicts.

Gold was little changed, as profit-taking set in after rallying on US economic data that pushed back expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate rise to early 2016, while silver extended gains on chart-based buying.

A subsidiary of Mineral Resources has been fined $90,000 in a Western Australian court after a worker was injured three years ago while unloading pipes from a truck at Consolidated Minerals' manganese mine in the Pilbara.

The Australian share market has closed almost 2 per cent higher as bargain hunters move in and a weaker US dollar increases the appeal of the mining and energy sectors.

The Australian share market has opened one per cent higher.

Gold has jumped more than two per cent and silver has surged over five per cent for its best day this year as weaker-than-expected US jobs data dented expectations the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, triggering short-covering.

The Australian dollar is higher against its weaker US counterpart following the release of weaker-than-expected US jobs figures.

The share market has fallen one per cent in the final session of a tumultuous week, leaving it at levels close to where it was seven days ago.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is tipped to leave the cash rate unchanged on Tuesday, and most economists are predicting there will be no more rate cuts for the foreseeable future.

The Australian share market has opened lower after Wall Street stocks struggle to makde any significant gains.

The Australian dollar is lower as weak US manufacturing data and caution about upcoming US jobs figures weigh on the currency.

Wall Street equities have finished little changed as investors take stock of mixed US economic data and await Friday's US jobs report.

Oil prices have finished lower following a choppy session as traders looked ahead to Friday's US jobs report for September.

Palladium rose to its highest level in nearly three months following strong car sales, continuing a trend in which the component of petrol engine autocatalysts gains at the expense of platinum.

Premier Colin Barnett has detailed a $1.5 billion commonwealth funding wish list, mostly for rail projects.

The Australian share market has closed higher for a second session in a row in the wake of positive overseas leads and better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data.

Dwelling prices rose by an average of 0.9 per cent in Australia’s capital cities in September, with Perth prices up 0.5 per cent.

Struggling steel and mining group Arrium says it is shortlisting parties to undertake due diligence for its mining consumables business, and has embarked on a fresh round of cost cuts.

ANZ Banking Group insists chief executive Mike Smith is stepping down on schedule after fulfilling a pledge to help David Gonski settle as chairman and give the bank time to identify his successor.

The Australian share market has got off to a firm start helped by gains in the US and Europe overnight as investors returned after recent heavy falls.

The Australian dollar has bounced higher, helped by weak European inflation data which leaves the option open for more economic stimulus from the European Central Bank.

Wall Street stocks have finished a painful third quarter on a positive note, joining big European and Asian markets in rallying on speculation of more monetary stimulus.

Oil prices are little changed after a mixed US petroleum market showing an unexpected rise in crude inventories and a dip in crude production.

Gold has hit its lowest level in two weeks and recorded its biggest quarterly loss in a year as US jobs data came in stronger than expected and the market awaited clarity on the timing of a hotly anticipated US interest rate rise.

The share market has recovered more than half of the $56 billion lost on Tuesday, as the mining giant at the centre of the plunge assured the world it is financially robust.

Energy producer and retailer Origin Energy has unveiled nearly $5 billion worth of plans to help bolster its balance sheet.

TPG Telecom's 320,000 mobile users will be moved onto the Vodafone Australia network, which will be upgraded by TPG as part of a $1 billion link-up between the companies.

Rio Tinto has struck a $865 million deal to sell its 40 per cent stake in the Bengalla open cut coal mine in NSW to New Hope Corporation.

The Australian share market has opened sharply higher.

Platinum prices have fallen below $US900 an ounce for the first time since January 2009, hurt by fears that the Volkswagen emissions scandal would cut demand from carmakers, but later pared losses as bargain-hunting investors swooped in.

Oil prices have risen, benefiting from a more benign outlook for commodities as shares of mining giant Glencore rose and equity markets stabilised.