AAP

A strong rally among the big four banks and a positive Wall Street session overnight have led the Australian share market higher on Friday.

The Australian dollar is back above 73 US cents, after higher-than-expected US core inflation data and speculation that the European Central Bank could bolster its quantitative easing program.

Gold prices have fallen after reaching a three and a half month high on Thursday as a stronger-than-expected reading of US inflation drove the dollar index.

Oil prices have fallen for the fourth straight day as the United States reported an increase in already high crude-oil stockpiles, adding to concerns about the global oversupply.

The Australian share market has made modest gains on expectations that weak economic data from the US and disappointing jobs numbers in Australia will keep interest rates low.

Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group is in no rush to offload assets as it steams ahead with cost cutting and debt relief to shore up its future.

Grain handler CBH Group has welcomed a report from the competition watchdog, which has expressed concern about the impact of the proposed $12 billion takeover of freight logistics company Asciano by Brookfield Infrastructure.

The Australian share market has opened higher, led by gains in the minerals sector.

The Australian dollar is back above 73 US cents, after weak US retail data dampened hopes of a US interest rate rise this year.

A downcast earnings forecast from Wal-Mart Stores and a lacklustre US retail sales report has sent retail stocks diving as US stocks finished lower.

Gold rallied to three and a half month highs, as soft US data fuelled expectations the US Federal Reserve will hold off raising its interest rate.

Commodity price falls on more weak economic data from China have dragged the share market into the red.

Construction of new houses in Western Australia fell 10.5 per cent in the June quarter, but the state has maintained a higher rate in the year to June than the decade average.

Western Australia's financial health is suffering from a multi-billion dollar revenue hit because of falling commodity prices and China's economic slowdown.

Health Minister Kim Hames has conceded he would have done certain things differently at the new Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Westpac's move to lift mortgage rates all but guarantees a Reserve Bank rate cut in November, Macquarie Bank says.

The Australian share market has opened almost half a per cent lower, with the big banks and energy stocks leading the falls.

A sell-off of drug company stocks put a hold on Wall Street's two-week-long rally.

Crude oil prices have dipped, extending the prior day's steep falls, as traders considered an IEA prediction that the global oversupply will continue next year.

The Australian dollar is back below 73 US cents amid more signs that the Chinese economy is slowing down.

Gold prices are up recovering an earlier one per cent slide that was made on expectations the Federal Reserve will not lift US interest rates this year.

Mining services group Ausdrill has developed technology that allows it to drill for gold and other minerals in salt lakes and difficult-to-reach areas with deep mud covering.

Short sellers have driven Fortescue Metals Group shares more than 8 per cent lower after a recent run up in the company's stock.

The Australian share market has closed lower following more bad economic news from China.

A senior Reserve Bank of Australia official has given an upbeat assessment of the Australian economy, confident that it is strong enough to resist a significant downturn.

Airbnb won't be able to hide surprise fees anymore after the consumer watchdog pushed the user-to-user accommodation service to improve its pricing policy.

Telstra estimates the competition watchdog's ruling that it must cut the price it charges other telcos to access its copper wire network will cost $80 million.

The Australian share market has opened lower with weakness in the energy sector offsetting gains by the big four banks.

Global oil prices have fallen sharply on worries about excessive supply and profit-taking after last week's rally.

Gold rose to its highest level since early July as expectations that the Federal Reserve will postpone an expected US interest rate hike beyond the end of the year.

The Australian dollar has hit an eight week high against a weaker US dollar on diminishing hopes of a US interest rate rise before the end of the year.

US stocks have finished higher, keeping alive the positive momentum from last week's rally despite weakness in petroleum-linked shares.