AAP

The Australian dollar is higher despite concerns over Greek debt as traders await a speech from the Reserve Bank of Australia on Monday.

Clients of failed stockbroking firm BBY face losses of $10 million and the company may have been trading while insolvent since mid-2014, its administrators say.

The Australian share market has closed lower as commodity prices fall and investors sit on their hands.

The average house price in Perth dropped 2.7 per cent in the March quarter to $535,000, while the national average climbed to almost $660,000.

The Australian share market has had a flat opening as falls in commodity prices offset a positive lead from Wall Street.

Gold prices are lower, ending a three-day winning streak, as global stock markets and the US dollar rose following some strong US economic data.

Oil prices have retreated after two days of gains as the International Energy Agency predicted that a recent surge in world crude demand was set to end.

Wall Street stocks have risen after a solid US retail sales report suggested American consumers are gaining confidence after a sluggish first quarter.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after the US dollar strengthened in overnight trade following the release of better than expected US economic data.

Surprisingly strong jobs figures and positive overseas news has fuelled the share market's strongest session in almost seven weeks.

Pilbara miner BC Iron is making the final repayment on a major loan 18 months early as it works to improve its balance sheet.

Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have suffered credit rating downgrades but analysts say the move is unlikely to affect the company's ability to borrow.

The Australian share market has opened higher following a strong lead from Wall Street.

Gold prices rose for a third straight session, bolstered by a softer US dollar and worries over the Greek debt crisis.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after the US dollar weakened in overnight trade following bullish comments from Japan's central bank governor.

Oil prices have risen rose solidly for a second day in a row after US data showed declines in crude and gasoline inventories.

The Dow has jumped more than 1.3 per cent as a broad-based rally led by technology and banking shares snapped a week of anaemic trade in US equity markets.

Tony Abbott reckons it's hard to pay a Sydney mortgage, even on a cabinet minister's pay packet, one day after Treasurer Joe Hockey said Sydney housing was affordable and advised potential first home buyers to get "a good job that pays good money".

The Australian share market has ended a six-day losing streak, buoyed by resources and banking stocks.

Ambulance ramping will be banned at three Perth tertiary hospitals from July 1 to cut down on patient waiting time.

Origin Energy will take $150 million in costs out of the business by June next year to defend its position as the nation's largest utility company.

The unemployment rate is expected to have remained steady in May, with job cuts in the coal and iron ore sectors keeping a lid on jobs growth.

Conflict of interest concerns have again been raised about Transport Minister Dean Nalder, this time regarding the contentious $1.6 billion Perth Freight Link.

The Australian share market has opened flat, following a similar lead from Wall Street.

Gold prices rose as European stock markets fell and commodities picked up across the board.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher but flat local job advertisement figures are capping any gains the currency makes.

Wall Street stocks have finished a choppy session little-changed as a big General Electric asset sale offset worries about spiking US treasury yields.

Oil prices have surged as traders girded for a bullish US crude storage report and the government lowered its forecast for American production in the second half of 2015.

The share market has extended its horror run despite rising in morning trade, closing weaker for a sixth straight session.

Home loan approvals were surprisingly strong in April, up 1 per cent, as low interest rates sparked demand for new houses, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has offered two pieces of advice to solve Australia's housing affordability problem - build more homes and get a good job that pays well.

The Australian share market is lower, following falls in overseas markets overnight.