Western Australia has recorded its first year-on-year economic growth in more than four years, while the national economy expanded 1 per cent in the March quarter, official figures show.
Brent crude have reversed losses, after hitting its lowest price in nearly a month following a report the US government asked Saudi Arabia and other major exporters to increase oil output.
Gold prices have risen as the US dollar has retreated slightly from close to a six-month high even as strong US economic data sealed the case for the US Federal Reserve to increase interest rates.
The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent for a 22nd consecutive month, as it waits for job growth and an improving economy to deliver a boost to wages and inflation.
The Australian dollar has continued to climb against its US counterpart after positive retail sales figures boost the local currency and as the US dollar index falls.
Oil prices have fallen about two per cent, with US crude touching its lowest level in nearly two months, breaking below technical support levels as investors keep selling amid growing US production, possible global supply growth and nagging trade tensions.
US stocks rose on Monday led by gains in technology shares and Friday's robust jobs data, which gave investors heightened confidence that the US economy remained strong.
US oil fell nearly two per cent, despite a larger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories, while global benchmark Brent was little changed, pushing the spread between the two to its widest in more than three years.
US stocks have fallen after the US moved to impose tariffs on metal imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, prompting retaliatory measures from some of its trading partners.
The background of WA Labor's latest candidate for Darling Range has been extensively scrutinised, the premier says, after the party's last MP and a parliamentary hopeful for the state seat proved to be embarrassments.
An animal welfare group has been granted access to Fremantle harbour to observe livestock loading in a move that has been criticized by industry groups.
The Australian dollar is three-quarters of a US cent higher after US stocks rose more than one per cent, amid hopes there might be a solution to the Italian political crisis.
Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday as the US dollar wilted after data showed the US economy slowed slightly more than initially expected in the first quarter while political uncertainty lingered in Italy.
Oil prices surged on Wednesday, shrugging off an unexpected build in US crude stockpiles and rebounding from a four-day slump as Russia's central bank expressed caution on plans to boost oil supply.
US crude futures fell more than $US1 on Tuesday on worries that Saudi Arabia and Russia will pump more crude to boost supplies after more than a year of reducing worldwide inventories.
Gold prices fell for a second session on Monday as the US dollar firmed and after US President Donald Trump revived hopes that he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month, lowering political tensions and demand for gold as a safe-haven investment.
The Australian dollar is almost unchanged from where it finished Friday's local session, after a mixed session on metals markets and the major Wall Street stock indexes finishing slightly lower.
Oil prices fell more than $US2 per barrel on Friday as Saudi Arabia and Russia discussed easing production cuts that have helped push crude prices to their highest since 2014.
