AAP

The Australian dollar is marginally weaker as disappointing American factory data dents the greenback ahead of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting.

US stocks have ploughed higher as the US dollar retreated and the market looked ahead to a Federal Reserve policy decision in the next two days.

US oil prices have sunk to a six-year low after a report by the oil cartel OPEC pointed to a continued petroleum supply glut.

Gold has fallen, trading just above its lowest level in more than three months, due to stronger European shares and expectations that this week's Federal Reserve meeting could hint at the timing of any hike in US interest rates.

Gold has fallen, trading just above its lowest level in more than three months, due to stronger European shares and expectations that this week's Federal Reserve meeting could hint at the timing of any hike in US interest rates.

A sharp fall in oil prices and low iron ore prices have weighed on energy and mining stocks and sent the share market lower.

The share market has started the week on the backfoot as cautious investors sit on the sidelines in the lead up to this week's US Federal Reserve meeting.

The Australian dollar is weaker as a decline in American consumer confidence fails to stop the greenback from rising against the euro.

Mining giant Rio Tinto's tax bill has increased to $A6.2 billion despite weaker commodity prices.

Gold has pared early gains, on track to break a nine-day streak lower despite the US dollar's extended rally as the precious metal market appeared reluctant to extend losses ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting next week.

Woodside Petroleum has been forced to halt production at its Pluto LNG plant in the Carnarvon Basin after a cyclone detached a nearby drilling rig.

The share market has been dragged lower by the big banks and miners, while internet provider TPG Telecom shone due to its $1.4 billion takeover deal with iiNet.

Rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has almost doubled its half-year loss as it looks to cut more costs in a difficult market.

Cyclone Olwyn passed over Barrow Island last night but left in its wake controversy over safety on the island, with unions criticising preparations for the cyclone, which hit one day after a worker

The share market is lower, with falls in all sectors, despite a strong lead from Wall Street.

The Australian dollar is firmer after an unexpected dip in American retail sales dented the greenback.

Crude-oil prices fell as traders focused on rising US stockpiles amid a global supply glut.

Wall Street stocks have snapped a two-day losing streak, surging after big US banks cleared Federal Reserve stress tests and the dollar retreated from a 12-year high.

Gold has steadied as a retreat in the US dollar from 12-year highs arrested its eight-session slide, although speculation that US interest rates could rise sooner rather than later kept prices under pressure.

The share market has enjoyed its best gains in almost a month due to jobs figures that were good, but not too good to scuttle an expected Reserve Bank rate cut.

Two Pilbara ports have been closed and locals are preparing to take shelter as a cyclone tracks closer to the Western Australian coast.

The jobless rate has eased from its 12 year high but economists expect the recovery will be temporary as the economy continues to struggle.

The Australian sharemarket is flat in early trade as slight gains in the finance sector are dragged down by weak mining and energy players.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has lashed state and federal governments for imposing too many costs on the mining sector amid a commodity price downturn.

The Australian dollar has dropped to a new six-year low as weak Chinese data worries traders and European bond buying boosts the greenback.

US stocks have finished lower in choppy trade as the dollar hit a new 12-year high against the euro.

Oil prices finished mixed after a key report showed US crude stockpiles had swollen to another record high, adding to an oversupplied global market.

Gold prices have fallen more than one per cent, touching its lowest level in more than three months in what looks to be an eighth straight losing session as a robust US dollar and expectations of higher US interest rates curbed appetite for the metal.

Plans to merge Perth's local councils will finally be officially shelved this week.

Gina Rinehart's $US10 billion Roy Hill iron ore project is expected to begin shipping ore in six months and ramp up to 55 million tonnes per annum within 30 months, according to chief executive Barry Fitzgerald.

The Australian share market has closed lower but has clawed back some earlier heavy losses linked to US interest rate rise fears.

The Australian sharemarket has plunged as weak commodities prices drag on the miners and energy players.