AAP

Gold prices have carved out a modest gain as worries about escalating violence in Iraq are tempered by stronger US equities.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower as concerns about political tensions in Iraq and eastern Europe weighs on the market's mood.

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US stocks have finished a choppy day of trade slightly higher as investors weighed the Iraq crisis and merger news ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy decision.

US oil has traded with little change at nine-month peaks, while Brent rose modestly as investors watched the unfolding sectarian conflict in Iraq for signs it could disrupt oil supplies.

The share market has recovered from early falls to close higher as investors brushed off worries about iron ore prices.

Treasurer Joe Hockey is confident Australia can avoid the 6.25 per cent jobless rate predicted by Labor.

The Australian share market has opened lower as weak iron ore prices continue to weigh on mining stocks.

Palladium and platinum have continued to retreat as supply worries ease because of the prospect of a wage deal that could end a 21-week strike in South Africa.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower, weighed down by profit taking and a lower iron ore price.

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US equity markets have finished the week with losses after a rising jihadist offensive in Iraq lifted oil prices to nine-month highs and stoked further concerns about Middle East stability.

The Australian share market has closed at its lowest level in two months after escalating violence in Iraq spooked investors and falling iron ore prices continued to pressure mining stocks.

Australian stocks have fallen to a two month low as escalating tension in Iraq caused heavy falls on Wall Street.

Nexus Energy hopes its gas projects will continue to operate despite the company appointing administrators after shareholders rejected Seven Group's takeover bid.

The Australian dollar has hit a one month high, extending its gains after the release of solid employment figures.

Wall Street stocks have fallen decisively on escalating violence in Iraq that pushed US oil prices to their highest level in nearly nine months.

Oil prices leapt to their highest level in nearly nine months on Thursday, on rising concerns that turmoil in Iraq will disrupt Middle East supplies.

The Australian sharemarket has closed lower due to weakness in resources stocks and negative overseas leads.

Nexus Energy appears headed for voluntary administration after shareholders almost certainly rejected a takeover by Kerry Stokes's Seven Group Holdings.

Qantas has paid off $450 million in debt eight months early, leaving less debt to be repayed in the coming year.

Australia's jobless rate has remained steady, with the number of people dropping out of the labour market offsetting a fall in how many people are employed.

The share market has opened lower due to negative offshore leads and a downgrade to global economic growth forecasts.

The Australian dollar rose above 94 US cents after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand increased its cash rate.

The Dow has snapped a four-day streak of record highs in a US equity retreat attributed in part to a shock Republican primary election and profit taking.

Oil prices finished somewhat higher following an unexpectedly large decline in US crude supplies and worsening turmoil in Iraq.

The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission has decided to increase the full time adult minimum wage and state awards by $20 per week.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as a weaker resources sector and low consumer confidence weighed on sentiment.

The share market is weaker than expected in early trade due to a fall in iron ore prices and weak consumer confidence.

The Australian dollar hit a four-week high against the US dollar, helped by positive business confidence data and a recent run of good Chinese economic figures.

Oil prices have dipped on the eve of OPEC's meeting to decide crude output levels and ahead of the weekly report on US crude inventories.

The Dow has edged to a new record as markets essentially moved sideways with low trading volumes.