Gold prices firmed above the key $US1,800 level overnight, underpinned by concerns over mounting coronavirus cases globally as many regions reintroduced curbs to restrict the outbreak.
Business insolvencies in April were at their lowest in almost a decade in Western Australia, suggesting emergency COVID-19 provisions for directors had a major impact.
Oil prices slipped about 1 per cent overnight after global coronavirus cases rose by a record daily amount, fanning fears of renewed government lockdowns, and on growing US and European tension with China.
Gold prices firmed above the key $US1,800 level overnight, as surging US coronavirus cases boosted hopes for more stimulus measures by the Federal Reserve to cushion the economic fallout from the pandemic.
An electrician based in North Perth has been ordered to pay more than $27,000 after having been found guilty of breaching WA’s electricity licensing regulations.
Australian shares have jumped nearly 1.5 per cent in early trade, with investor sentiment buoyed by a strong closing on the US markets last week on hopes of a coronavirus treatment.
Oil prices climbed more than 2 per cent on Friday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) bumped up its 2020 demand forecast but record-breaking new coronavirus cases in the United States tempered expectations for a fast recovery in fuel consumption.
Gold fell on Friday as gains in US equities trimmed flows into bullion, which was still on track for a fifth straight weekly gain after soaring to its highest level in nearly nine years last week on surging COVID-19 infections.
Shares on the ASX have slipped early after Wall Street investors worried about the impact of renewed lockdowns in some US states due to surging coronavirus cases.
Oil prices fell about $US1 a barrel overnight as investors worried that renewed lockdowns to contain the spread of coronavirus in the United States would again sink fuel consumption.
Gold prices retreated overnight, a day after vaulting to nearly nine-year highs, as investors embraced the safe-haven greenback in the face of record US coronavirus cases.
The Australian share market has finished higher, propelled by solid gains by Afterpay as well as gold prices hitting their highest levels in nearly nine years.
Oil prices settled higher overnight as US gasoline consumption showed signs of a recovery, but price gains were limited by rising crude inventories and an increase in coronavirus infections.
Gold soared past the technical $US1,800 threshold overnight, scaling its highest since September 2011, as investors bolted for safety from the novel coronavirus and central banks poured in powerful stimulus to cushion its economic fallout.
The Australian share market has suffered its worst drop in nearly two weeks amid worries about rising virus cases in Victoria and overseas and following a drop in US markets.
Oil prices settled little changed overnight as demand concerns due to a new surge in coronavirus cases overshadowed US government forecasts for lower production.
Gold bounced back overnight, within a striking distance of the key $US1,800 per ounce level, as a sharp jump in COVID-19 cases boosted hopes for more accommodative monetary policy measures and demand for the safe-haven metal.
The Australian share market has closed flat despite strong overseas leads as traders ponder the impact of a sharp rise in new coronavirus cases in the country's second-most populous state.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at a record low 0.25 per cent at its monthly board meeting as it assesses the extent of recovery after the coronavirus-driven economic downturn.
Shares have gained about 1.0 per cent early in trade on the Australian market after solid gains on Wall Street overnight following a rebound in US services industry activity.
