AAP

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.

Gold prices rose slightly after a three-day streak of declines as the US dollar and stock markets fell.

US stocks have dropped as the week kicked off with especially large declines in technology shares and airline stocks.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher as the greenback weakened overnight and the local currency benefited from the release of some positive Chinese economic data.

Oil prices have fallen as the market weighed last week's OPEC meeting and the prospects for a breakthrough in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran.

The Australian share market is in the midst of a horror run, with a massive $75 billion stripped from its value over the week, its worst weekly performance in three years.