US crude oil futures collapsed below $US0 for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $US37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil.
Gold climbed as much as 1 per cent overnight after earlier hitting a more-than one-week low, with the collapse of US crude oil prices to a record low hitting risk assets and driving investors to the safety of bullion.
Western Australia's coronavirus cases remain static at 545, a first for the state since February 21. Temporary restrictions on takeaway alcohol sales have been lifted. National cabinet to consider resumption of elective surgery tomorrow.
Caltex Australia will not be acquired by fuel retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard, at least in the short term, after talks about an $8.8 billion deal were put on ice.
Gold dropped about 2.0 per cent on Friday after President Donald Trump's new guidelines to reopen the US economy and encouraging early data related to a potential COVID-19 treatment drove investors towards riskier assets.
Oil prices were mixed on Friday, with weak Chinese economic figures and rapidly filling US crude storage offsetting bullishness built on US President Donald Trump's outlines for the US economy to emerge from the coronavirus shutdown.
Medical doctor, researcher, philanthropist and business leader Patricia Kailis, who jointly established MG Kailis Group with her late husband, has passed away.
The Australian share market has finished higher across nearly all sectors, clawing back its losses from the last two days and narrowly missing closing at a new one-month high.
Western Australia records six new cases and one death from COVID-19, NBN Co announces a $150 million relief package for internet providers during the pandemic, and Health Minister Roger Cook flags the need to locate asymptomatic cases in the community.
The state government has said that classes will embark on a soft reopening in Term 2, as government and schools continue to debate whether teachers should have access to PPE.
The Australian share market has risen in early trade following a strong overnight performance by US giants Amazon and Netflix and ahead of looming Chinese GDP data.
Gold fell after climbing 1.3 per cent overnight, as safe-haven demand weakened after US jobless claims rose less than a week ago and hopes grew for an easing of coronavirus-led curbs.
Oil prices were mixed overnight, as Brent crude rose modestly while US futures ended unchanged at an 18-year-low after some European countries said they would relax coronavirus restrictions even though OPEC lowered its global oil demand forecast.
Australia's coronavirus restrictions will remain in place for four weeks. Health Minister Roger Cook has announced an expanded COVID-19 testing program in WA. The state has reported two new infections and an extra case from the Artania cruise ship.
The federal government has outlined seven principles for how public schools should respond to COVID-19, one day after Premier Mark McGowan reportedly began weighing whether to have classes return as normal in Term 2.
One of Western Australia's biggest employers, Crown Resorts, has stood down 95 per cent of its national workforce due to coronavirus restrictions affecting its casinos and hospitality venues in Perth and Melbourne.
US crude prices fell to an 18-year low and Brent lost more than 6.0 per cent after the United States reported its biggest weekly inventory build on record, while global demand is expected to fall to quarter-century lows due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gold prices have fallen, a day after scaling over seven-year highs, as the dollar firmed and investors booked profits, although concerns of a global recession put a floor under prices.
The Australian share market has pulled back after two days of gains, as lower oil prices dragged down energy producers and as warnings mounted of worsening economic conditions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Opposition leader Liza Harvey has attacked the government’s attempts to reappoint John McKechnie to the Corruption and Crime Commission, calling the urgency with which Premier Mark McGowan has characterised the nomination disingenuous.
Lynas Corp has applied to the Malaysian government for an exemption from some coronavirus-led curbs as reduced work levels drove an 18 per cent drop in the miner's third-quarter rare earths oxides output.
The Australian share market has followed Wall Street higher at the start of trade even as warnings mount of worsening unemployment and economic conditions because of the coronavirus fallout.
