AAP

Joe Hockey strode into Parliament House in a buoyant mood just hours before delivering a budget that could determine his political fortunes and those of the government.

The Australian share market has opened higher, despite a weak lead from Wall Street.

Gold eased on Monday as the impact of a rebounding US dollar, bolstered by persistent concern about future Greek debt payments, outweighed US data supporting bets the Federal Reserve will not raise rates until late 2015.

The Australian dollar remains under pressure from the People's Bank of China's (PBoC) third interest rate cut in six months.

Oil prices have dipped as worries about oversupply return to the forefront with US data suggesting petroleum drilling is picking up in some areas.

US stocks have finished lower, snapping a two-day surge in equities as investors eyed tough negotiations between Greece and international creditors.

The Australian share market gave up its early gains to close lower, and has not had a positive day in a week.

The Australian share market has opened higher, following gains on Wall Street at the end of last week.

Gold edged higher on Friday, snapping two days of losses, as revisions to US payrolls data supported speculation that the Federal Reserve may hold off raising interest rates in the immediate future.

The Australian dollar is higher after the release of solidy US employment figures as traders wait for the release of local economic data on Monday.

The share market has finished weaker for the third straight day as the Reserve Bank's monetary policy statement took the shine off banking stocks and falling crude oil prices belted energy stocks.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has refused to rule out further interest rate cuts amid concerns about slowing Chinese growth and weak business investment in Australia.

Macquarie Group has lifted its full-year profit 27 per cent, beating both market expectations and its own guidance.

The Australian share market has opened higher following overnight gains on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is lower as the US dollar bounces back from its recent lows and after commodity prices lost ground overnight.

Gold extended losses into a second day on Thursday as a firm US dollar and early strength in bond yields dented its investment appeal, and weighed also by uncertainty over the timing of a US interest rate increase.

Oil prices have dived a day after hitting 2015 highs as worries about global oversupply reemerged as traders scrutinised a mixed US inventories report.

US stocks have pushed higher as oil prices cooled and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba soared on strong sales.

Former Perth barrister Lloyd Rayney has walked from court a free man after phone tapping charges against him were thrown out halfway through his trial.

The major banks have driven the share market lower, extending its losses from Wednesday when it recorded its biggest one-day fall in two years.

The median rent for Perth homes has dropped by $10 to $430 a week as the vacancy rate has risen.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has denied reports he was told coalition MPs want Treasurer Joe Hockey dumped if next week's federal budget flops with voters.

Australia's unemployment rate has ticked up, despite lower interest rates and a weaker Aussie dollar helping to support the labour market.

National Australia Bank has launched a massive $5.5 billion capital raising to help it get the jump on regulators and allow it to push ahead with the public float of its troubled UK business.

The Australian share market has opened lower following losses in US markets overnight.

The Australian dollar has levelled off after enjoying a strong rally on the back of retail spending figures, which showed signs of improvement.

Gold prices edged down on Wednesday, as the impact of higher US real yields counteracted the effects of a sharply weaker dollar, soft US data and doubts the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at its June meeting.

Oil prices have scored new 2015 peaks after weekly data showed US commercial crude stockpiles unexpectedly slumped in the first decline in four months.

Wall Street stocks have fallen for a second straight session following disappointing jobs data and a warning from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on high equity valuations.

The Australian share market has suffered its biggest one-day fall in two years after Commonwealth Bank and Woolworths results spooked investors.

Retail spending growth seems to be slowing a bit, but no more than might have been expected, and there is no good reason to expect the deceleration to continue.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares have dropped to a near four-month low, with analysts warning there could be worse to come and investors questioning whether the dream run is over for Australia's big four lenders.