AAP

The Dow and S&P 500 have bolted to fresh record highs after a Federal Reserve report showed the US economy was growing amid widespread optimism about the outlook.

Oil prices in New York have gained following a drop in US crude inventories, while the international benchmark Brent has fallen on gloom after last week's OPEC decision to maintain output.

The Australian dollar is barely keeping its head above 84 US cents after disappointing economic growth figures triggered expectations of another interest rate cut.

Gold prices have risen as investors wait to see whether the European Central Bank will increase its economic-stimulus efforts at its monetary-policy meeting.

The Australian share market has closed higher, with gains in all sectors.

The bids are in but would-be buyers of Network Ten appear to be playing hard ball.

Australia's growth rate fell to 0.3 per cent in the September quarter, less than half the rate expected by market analysts, resulting in annual growth sliding to 2.7 per cent.

A second drug raid in as many days is taking place at a mine site in the Pilbara region.

Woolworths has bought itself a foothold in China's growing wine and drinks market, acquiring one of the country's largest alcoholic drinks distributors.

The Australian share market is slightly higher in the wake of Wall Street gains but falls in oil, gold and iron ore prices.

The Australian dollar has slipped back below 85 US cents amid a stronger US dollar and uncertainty about the Reserve Bank's next move.

The Dow has jumped to a fresh record close following a rise in US construction spending and encouraging auto and Cyber Monday sales data.

Oil prices have tumbled after the Iraqi government and autonomous Kurds struck a deal that will boost the country's crude oil exports to an already oversupplied global market.

Gold prices have fallen as a stronger US dollar prompts investors to take profits after the precious metal's sharp rally on Monday.

The Australian share market has closed 1.3 per cent higher, reeling in some of the steep losses inflicted by tumbling oil prices.

All Australians will have the national broadband network connected or know when they will be connected by the 2016 election.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate unchanged for a sixteenth consecutive month at 2.5 per cent.

The Australian economy is picking up a bit of pace as cheaper petrol and low interest rates encourage more spending.

The Australian share market has reversed some of its heavy losses after a strong bounce in oil and gold prices.

Retail and tech equities have led US stock markets lower following a disappointing kickoff of the holiday shopping season.

The Australian dollar has bounced back from four-year lows overnight as commodity prices stage a recovery.

Crude oil prices have bounced back sharply from five-year lows in what analysts say may be just a technical correction after last week's $US10-a-barrel plunge.

Gold prices have surged to a one-month high as a rush of haven buying sparked by Japan's credit-rating downgrade forced bearish investors to clamour for the exit.

The share market has dumped 2 per cent, with energy stocks tumbling in the wake of the lowest crude oil prices since 2009.

Shares in grocery wholesaler Metcash have dived 13 per cent after the IGA Supermarkets brand owner flagged a slide of more than 20 per cent in its full-year earnings.

Premier Colin Barnett says he fully supports Transport Minister Dean Nalder, who is under review for a potential conflict of interest.

The federal government is happy to look at any future proposal for a nuclear power plant, but won't be offering taxpayer support.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott concedes there's pressure on the budget that wasn't there at the start of 2014.

NBN Co has named the next 460 suburbs and towns to get the new-look National Broadband Network.

The Australian share market is lower as oil stocks again suffer a pummelling, following OPEC's decision not to cut production.

A free fall in petroleum stocks was the most striking element of an otherwise lacklustre week on Wall Street.

Gold has neared a two-week low as weaker oil prices and a firmer US dollar pressure investors' appetites for protection from inflation.