AAP

Gold dropped for a fourth session in five as the US dollar firmed, backed by expectations the Federal Reserve may be on course to raise US interest rates soon.

The Australian dollar hit its lowest level in almost two weeks following the release of disappointing Chinese trade figures.

US markets have sagged ahead of the take-off of first-quarter-earnings season, with traders hedging their bets after last week's solid gains.

World oil prices have modestly extended last week's gains in cautious trade as investors digest news of another rise in US crude oil inventories in an abundantly supplied global market.

Disappointing Chinese trade numbers have dented big mining stocks and caused the share market to retreat from its brush with seven year highs.

Freezing Western Australia's GST share for one year is better than nothing but still grossly inadequate, state Treasurer Mike Nahan says.

Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler has secured a job as an adviser to nickel explorer Rumble Resources as he steps up his return to the resources sector.

Oz Minerals plans to release the outcome of a company-wide review later in April as it looks to cut costs following a downturn in commodity prices.

Seven Group Holdings has announced that Ryan Stokes, the 38-year-old son of company chairman Kerry Stokes, will replace Don Voelte as chief executive.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Gold has risen as chart levels were broken, but was still heading for its first weekly fall in four weeks, pressured by a stronger greenback and renewed expectations for a US rate rise this year.

The Australian dollar is lower, coming under pressure from a stronger US dollar and the release of weaker local housing data last week.

The share market has closed higher as weaker than expected figures on home lending renewed expectations of an interest rate cut.

Of all the ministers at the heart of the Hawke government, the acerbic Peter Walsh was the most singular.

Coles has been ordered to pay a $2.5 million penalty for falsely advertising "freshly baked" bread when it had been par-baked off-site - sometimes months earlier.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher after solid gains on Wall Street overnight.

Gold retreated for a third straight session on Thursday on a stronger dollar after comments from US Federal Reserve officials kept alive expectations for an interest rate rise some time this year d

Andrew Forrest's iron ore miner Fortescue Metals says it has nothing to hide when it comes to paying tax.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower after the US dollar rallied on the back of strong US jobs data.

Oil prices have edged higher from the prior day's nose-dive in a volatile market with some analysts citing signs of a potential demand pick-up.

Big gains in petroleum stocks have lifted the US equity market as investors bet on more large energy mergers following Royal Dutch Shell's takeover of BG Group.

BC Iron has vowed to make deeper cost cuts as it scrambles to stay abreast of falling iron ore prices.

The share market has finished weaker for the first time since April Fool's Day as the big miners took a hit.

Ambulance ramping at Perth hospitals has not eased since the opening of the new $2 billion public facility at Murdoch, the state government concedes.

Global aluminium giant Alcoa has swung back to profit and struck a new energy supply deal in a positive sign for its Australian business.

The construction sector activity has risen for the first time in five months, helped by a surge in apartment block building.

The Australian stock market is flat with energy stocks weaker on heavy oil price falls.

Western Australia might end co-operation with Canberra if it fails to win changes to the way GST revenue is distributed to the states and territories.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after the US central bank failed to give a clear indication on when it will raise its interest rate.

Gold has extended losses, falling below $US1,200 an ounce after US Federal Reserve minutes revealed an interest rate rise could take place as early as June, causing the US dollar to turn higher.

Another huge rise in US stockpiles and record oil output in Saudi Arabia has sent crude prices tumbling.

US stocks have risen as a big Royal Dutch Shell acquisition and a large potential pharma deal offset concerns about earnings season and US monetary policy.