AAP

US stocks have set fresh records for the fifth straight session, but just barely, amid holiday-dampened trade.

Oil prices have traded mixed as the market gauged the outlook for an OPEC oil production cut amid abundant global supplies.

Gold prices have ticked higher as a respite from the strong US dollar squeezes some bearish investors out of the market.

The Australian dollar has hit 100 Japanese yen for the first time in 18 months, giving the local currency a leg-up against the greenback.

The share market has closed lower as a broad drop in commodity prices weighed on energy and resources stocks.

The amount of home loan-backed securities held by the Reserve Bank of Australia has increased 25 fold to help banks settle day-to-day transactions.

While its rivals are agitating for an overhaul of media ownership laws, Seven is preaching caution.

Three of billionaire Gina Rinehart's companies will go to trial next March over the late filing of financial accounts with the corporate regulator.

Joe Hockey won't deliver a mini-budget when he updates the government's books next month.

A record-high surge in business conditions in October has failed to light a fire under Australian companies, with confidence taking a fall.

The Australian share market is flat, weighed down by the mining stocks.

US stock markets have soared to fresh records, but internet broadband carriers were hit hard by President Barack Obama's call for tough net neutrality rules.

The Australian dollar is lower as the greenback regains ground following its post-jobs report slump.

World oil prices have tumbled after Kuwait downplayed prospects for an OPEC output cut in the face of abundant global supplies.

Gold prices have fallen as a rising US dollar prompts traders to lock in profits after last week's sharp rally.

Former Perth-based rare earths miner Lynas Corporation's shares have bounced after it tried to reassure investors the rare earths market is not going as badly as speculated.

House builder Cedar Woods Properties says strong market conditions in Western Australia and Victoria will likely lead to profit growth.

The share market has started the week on a negative note due to falls by the big banks.

Network Ten has been the unloved step-sister of Australian TV in recent years but a string of would-be fairy godmothers are lining up to give the struggling broadcaster a Cinderella-like makeover.

Crown Resorts chairman James Packer has appointed banker Robert Rankin to oversee his multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio.

Mount Gibson Iron has cut its sales guidance and warned that repair works at its Koolan Island mine might take three months and cost up to $10 million.

The Australian share market has opened weaker as profit taking dents banking stocks.

Telco groups Vocus and Amcom will open their books to each other as they consider a possible $1 billion tie-up.

From Saturday, November 8:

The Australian dollar has surged more than one US cent higher on the back of disappointing US employment data.

Gold prices have notched their sharpest gain in nearly five months after data showing weaker-than-expected October jobs growth spurred investors to close out bets against the precious metal.

The Australian share market has closed higher despite two of the major banks going ex-dividend.

Sellers in Perth's prestige property market could be forced to drop their prices next year as commodity prices continue to weaken.

Westfield's shopping centres owner Scentre Group has sold Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC a 49 per cent stake in five New Zealand centres worth a total $NZ2.1 billion ($A1.96 billion).

Jobseekers looking for encouraging news in the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest assessment of the economy will be disappointed.

Construction workers plan to protest outside the Federal Court in Perth today as dozens of their colleagues face big fines for downing tools to attend a rally.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher on positive leads from Wall Street but it's under pressure as two major banks go ex-dividend.