AAP

Spot gold has lost ground, moving closer to last week's five-and-a-half- year lows below $USUS1,100 per ounce, with expectations for a near-term US interest rate hike seen keeping momentum firmly with the bears.

Monday was a horror first day back to the trading room for Atlas Iron as the Pilbara miner's share price plunged by more than 70 per cent.

The big miners have led the way as the Australian share market recovered from early jitters to end a run of three straight losses and close the day higher.

The National Australia Bank has joined the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ Bank in raising the interest rates it charges property investors, following measures announced by the banking regulator.

The Northern Territory and federal governments are fast-tracking what could be one of the world's largest prawn farms by granting major project status to the proposal being driven by a Perth-based company.

Shareholders of internet services provider iiNet have overwhelmingly approved a proposed $1.6 billion takeover of the company by TPG Telecom.

Goldminer Northern Star Resources sold a record amount of gold in the June quarter, putting it well within its sales guidance for the full year.

The Australian share market has opened lower in the wake of weak overseas leads and weak commodity prices.

Westpac will look to raise $750 million through a notes offer to lift its capital reserves ahead of a move from the banking regulator.

The Australian dollar has edged lower, weighed down by falling commodity prices and weak Chinese manufacturing data.

Spot gold has turned higher after sliding more than one per cent to its lowest since early 2010 on Friday, as the US dollar fell from its highs and US stocks extended losses, but the precious metal was on track to see the biggest weekly decline since March.

The share market has closed lower for a third straight day, following a weak lead from Wall Street and pessimistic manufacturing data from China.

Major changes to Western Australia's electoral boundaries have been proposed to reflect uneven population growth in the state.

Forcing Australia's wealthiest people to pay at least a minimum rate of tax would raise an additional $2.5 billion a year, modelling shows.

The Commonwealth Bank has become the second major lender to lift the interest rates it charges property investors following an intervention by the banking regulator.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

Gold has turned lower, dipping back below $US1,100 an ounce as a steeper-than-forecast drop in US jobless claims helped the US dollar recover from earlier lows, though prices remain under pressure after this week's plunge.

Oil prices have slipped on persistent concerns about abundant supplies in a slowing global economy.

The Australian dollar has nudged lower despite the greenback falling overnight due to a sell-off sparked by profit taking.

US stocks have fallen for a third straight day on the back of disappointing earnings from Caterpillar, American Express and others.

The Australian share market has closed lower, pulled back by the resources sector.

Macquarie Group has lifted its full-year guidance, putting the investment company on track for one of the best results in its history.

Construction and contract mining giant CIMIC Group believes there are significant opportunities for its mining services operations in the Americas, after reporting a weaker net profit of $257.2 million for the six months to June.

ANZ has lifted interest rates for property investors in response to the banking regulator's efforts to slow investor lending growth.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining is expected to post its best earnings figures in years after lifting its profit margins thanks to lower production costs and a weaker Australian dollar.

Business confidence has jumped to its highest level since September last year, with sentiment improving across all sectors except for mining.

The ABC will close its brick and mortar shops and focus on online retail in a move that will slash 300 jobs.

Fortescue Metals Group's cost cutting is delivering benefits to the iron ore miner, amid wild movements in the price of Australia's key export commodity.

The share market has opened flat following losses on Wall Street overnight.

Qantas will offer discount fares to small and medium business owners in an effort to shore up its share of the crucial premium traveller market.

Oil prices have fallen after US government data showed higher crude stockpiles, adding to concerns about a global supply glut.

Shares of Apple tumbled 4.3 per cent and Microsoft fell 3.7 per cent as disappointing earnings from the two technology titans weighed on the broader market.