The Australian dollar is slightly higher as it struggles to recover from losses made after the release of weaker-than-expected March quarter inflation figures.
Gold prices have fallen to the lowest level in 10 weeks, as investors ignore tensions in Ukraine to focus on an improving US economy and falling Chinese demand for the precious metal.
US oil prices have plummeted on expectations of another increase in the nation's inventories, suggesting tepid demand in the world's biggest crude consumer.
The Australian market looks set to open higher after Wall Street finished higher as solid earnings reports from Halliburton and others kicked off the busiest week of the quarterly earnings season.
The Australian dollar has drifted lower as a boost from speculation of stimulus measures in China wore off, while activity was low ahead of the Easter holiday.
Oil prices in New York have finished essentially flat as a bearish US oil inventory report offset concerns that rising political tensions in Ukraine could affect energy supplies.
The share market has closed higher as investors were encouraged by good corporate earnings reports from the United States and shrugged off economic growth figures out of China.
The US dollar has moved little against other major currencies ahead of China's first-quarter GDP data, expected to show further slowing in the world's second-largest economy.
Gold has locked in its largest one-day percentage drop since December as worries about weaker demand from China prompts some investors to reduce their gold holdings.
The Australian dollar has fallen to a one-week low after the release of some disappointing US home builder sentiment data and tensions in the Ukraine escalate.
The Australian share market has opened higher after the US market lifted on the back of a solid earnings report from Citigroup and encouraging retail sales data.
Crude oil prices have marched higher as traders keep a wary eye on escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the prospects of resumed Libyan oil exports.
The share market has suffered one of its biggest falls of the year so far as investors worry about the performance of US companies and instability in Ukraine.
Palladium futures have closed at their highest level in two-and-a-half years, while platinum has neared a four-week high as escalating tensions between Russia and the West and continued mine-worker
The Kuwait National Petroleum Company has signed contracts worth $US12 billion ($A12.79 billion) with three international consortia to upgrade two refineries and invited bids to build a new multi-b
