AAP

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.

Retail giant Woolworths will shed an extra 400 jobs as it looks to save $500 million in costs.

Australia's banks have come under fire from Treasurer Joe Hockey for taking their time to pass on the Reserve Bank's interest rate cut to their customers.

The Australian share market has opened significantly lower, following on from falls in US stocks.

The Australian dollar has enjoyed a strong rally following the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate announcement.

Gold futures prices rose on Tuesday as the US dollar turned lower and global shares fell ahead of US non-farm payroll data later in the week.

US oil prices have shot up above $US60 a barrel for the first time this year as reports of rising tensions in petroleum-producer Libya fuelled bullish momentum.

US stocks have tumbled on worries about higher oil prices and a spike in tensions over the Greek debt crisis.

The share market gave up all of its gains during the day to close flat after investors were downbeat about the Reserve Bank of Australia's assessment of the economy.

Australia recorded a bigger than expected trade deficit in March, largely due to sagging prices for iron ore and coal exports.

ANZ Banking Group shares climbed 3 per cent after it has posted a better than expected $3.7 billion half-year profit.

The Australian share market is higher, following gains on Wall Street overnight.