AAP

Brent oil has briefly slipped below $US50 a barrel for the first time since 2009, but crude finished higher on a strong day for US and European equity markets.

The Australian dollar has drifted higher as disappointing comments from the US central bank knock the wind out of the greenback's sails.

Gold prices pared losses in electronic trading on Wednesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting gave little reason to believe the central bank was considering raising interest rates ahead of schedule.

The Australian share market has closed lower, despite a late rally, as energy stocks plunged again.

Borrowers are leaping at the chance that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut its cash rate this year, with more of them looking for better home loan deals.

Qantas has been named the world's safest airline, after a year when fatal air accidents soared above the 10-year average.

The Australian share market has opened lower as the oil sector continues to cop a beating from falling oil prices.

US stocks have fallen again on another stormy day for global financial markets as oil prices plummeted to a fresh multi-year low.

Oil prices have tumbled to fresh 5.5-year lows as Saudi Arabia blamed weak global economic growth and said it will stick to its guns on production policy.

Gold prices have risen to their highest level in three weeks, as plunging oil prices sparked worries about the health of the global economy, drawing investors to the precious metal.

The Australian dollar is lower but still holding above 81 US cents following better-than-expected economic data.

The Australian share market has fallen sharply as investors fretted about falling oil prices and speculation that financially-embattled Greece would quit the eurozone.

National car sales dropped in 2014, with Western Australia experiencing by far the biggest slide of all of the mainland states.

Two Melbourne men have been charged over an alleged $110 million fraud involving fake home loan applications.

Tony Abbott has again vowed there will be no changes to the GST before the next federal election.

Rising iron ore exports have delivered a better-than-expected trade deficit for Australia, despite the continued slide in commodity prices.

After enjoying some pre-Christmas price cheer, shoppers are in for a shock in the new year.

Australian stocks have tumbled lower following an overnight rout of commodities and heavy falls on markets in Europe and the US.

US stocks have tanked on worries about the eurozone and low oil prices as the euro hit a nine-year low against the US dollar and US crude slid below $US50 a barrel.

US oil prices have slipped below $US50 a barrel for the first time in more than five years as the surging US dollar and news of additional supplies extended a six-month rout.

The Australian dollar is hovering below 81 US cents, having staged a recovery after reaching five-and-a-half year lows.

Gold futures have jumped to a three-week high as investors turn to the asset for safety amid a steep sell-off in stocks, oil, copper and other risk markets.

Farmers and Labor are on the same side when it comes to broadening the GST to fresh food.

The Australian share market has started the first full week of trading in the new year by finishing marginally higher.

Four additional fixed speed cameras will be installed in Perth as part of a state government plan to reduce the number of deaths on Western Australian roads.

Australian stocks are higher amid mixed leads from overseas markets.

Wall Street stocks have finished the first trading day of the new year little-changed following lacklustre US economic data and with many market participants still on holiday.

The Australian dollar has dropped to its lowest level in almost five years.

Gold prices have gained, as investors swoop in to take advantage of a dollar-wrought dip in the metal's price.

Downward pressure on prices for oil and iron ore have helped pull back the Australian share market after four days of gains.

Telstra has dramatically increased its presence in Asia with a long awaited major acquisition.

The Australian share market was lower in early trade despite gains in overseas markets overnight.