Gold has edged down to a three-month low, failing to benefit from a softer US dollar, as pressure from an anticipated US rate rise as soon as December persists.
Friction between the resources industry and the mining town of Newman has escalated following the state's decision to approve an extension for BHP Billiton's 1,200-bed Kurra camp.
The US dollar index has touched its highest since April on growing expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next month, while US stocks ended up after a late-session bounce.
Gold has fallen toward a three-month low as the US dollar hits a seven-month peak on prospects the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in December, while silver and platinum extend losses to multi-week troughs.
Oil prices have fallen for the fourth straight session as traders weighed lowered OECD global growth forecasts and weak Chinese crude imports against abundant supplies.
The price of gold has edged modestly higher, snapping an eight-day losing streak as the US dollar retreated, but still hovered near its lowest in three months after robust US jobs data boosted expectations of a US rate hike in December.
The Australian dollar has plunged to a one-month low after strong US employment figures increased expectations that the US Federal Reserve will increase its interest rate in December.
Gold has fallen to a three-month low and set to post its biggest weekly drop in more than two years after US data shows job growth surged in October, making it likely the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in December.
The competition watchdog has warned that the privatisation process for Fremantle Ports could deliver a high price to government but at the expense of port users.
A visiting Canadian economist has warned that Australia requires urgent reform to its labour market laws if the nation is to remain internationally competitive.
The Australian share market has closed slightly higher as investors await key jobs figures in the US which are likely to influence whether the US Federal Reserve lifts interest rates in December.
US stocks have drifted lower on the eve of the highly anticipated jobs report, seen as a litmus test for a Federal Reserve increase in interest rates.685
US stocks have drifted lower on the eve of the highly anticipated jobs report, seen as a litmus test for a Federal Reserve increase in interest rates.685
Gold has fallen to a seven-week low as the US dollar hit a three-month high, and looks vulnerable to further losses after Federal Reserve officials left the door open to a US interest rate rise in December.
