AAP

The Australian dollar has fallen slightly but has managed to stay above 80 US cents because of weakness in the US dollar.

The Australian share market gained nearly 0.7 per cent but it was considered disappointing given the stronger leads provided by European and US markets.

Amcom Telecommunications has postponed its scheme of arrangement after Vocus Communications sold its stake in the company to counter rival TPG Telecom's efforts to derail a proposed merger.

The Australian stock market has opened higher thanks to strong gains in the US and Europe overnight.

The Australian dollar has dropped below US 81 cents after a weak overnight trading session as the US dollar stabilised.

Gold hit a three-month high on Thursday as the US dollar came under pressure following a new batch of mixed US data that pushed back expectations of when interest rates in the world's largest economy will rise.

Oil prices have retreated on concerns the market has risen too much given lofty supplies.

The S&P 500 has bolted to a fresh record high close, led by strong gains in Apple, Facebook and other technology stocks.

The share market fell today, with the Australian dollar surging and investors unwilling to continue Wednesday's post federal budget rally.

Frank Lowy's Westfield Corporation expects to decide on an offshore stock market listing for the international shopping mall giant by early 2016.

A no-fault catastrophic motor vehicle injury insurance scheme will be introduced in Western Australia on July 1.

The stock market has started the day weaker following a strong rally in the Australian dollar and the continued selloff in bonds globally.

Gold prices have jumped two per cent, rising well above $US1,200 an ounce to a five-week high as US the dollar hit a three-month low after disappointing US employment data.

The Australian dollar has surged past 81 US cents to an almost four month high on speculation the Federal Reserve could delay raising its interest rate.

Wall Street stocks have finished little changed in choppy trade following a lacklustre US retail sales report and disappointing earnings from Macy's.

Global oil prices have dipped despite a much bigger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories, as a slowdown at refineries raised concerns about the strength of demand.

The share market has rallied on the back of a positive federal budget, with retail stocks leading the way.

Troubled department store Myer has delivered some good news to investors with a solid lift in third quarter sales.

Toll Holdings' shareholders have overwhelmingly backed a Japanese takeover of the Australian logistics company.

Fortescue Metals Group is cutting up to 100 jobs a day, founder Andrew Forrest has confirmed.

Federal Labor says the government has broken a pre-election promise to deliver the national broadband network to all Australians by the end of 2016.

The Australian share market has opened higher, getting a boost from strong gains in retail stocks.

Gold prices rose up to one per cent as the US dollar and European shares suffered from a sell-off in global bond markets.

The Australian dollar is higher after there was a positive reaction to Tuesday night's federal budget.

Global oil prices have climbed, getting a boost from a weaker dollar as traders awaited the latest US crude-oil inventories report.

Wall Street stocks have finished lower as worries over higher US Treasury bond yields offset Verizon's $US4.4 billion ($A5.58 billion) takeover of AOL.

The share market has closed higher after five consecutive sessions of heavy losses.

A research centre linked to controversial Danish academic Bjorn Lomborg was to have been placed in the University of Western Australia through a "corrupt" process initiated by the prime minister's office, parliament has been told.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has flagged unexpected asset sales in this week's state budget.

Shares in Qantas have jumped more than 9 per cent after the airline flagged $2 billion in benefits from improvements to its business.

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.