Australian shares are down at the open amid lingering uncertainty over US-China trade relations, while shares in the under-fire aged care sector are dragging on the market after the announcement of a royal commission.
Gold turned negative as the US dollar rose against the Chinese yuan after US President Donald Trump reportedly told aides to proceed with tariffs on Chinese imports.
Oil prices pulled back on concerns additional US tariffs would be placed on Chinese imports, after an earlier rally triggered by worries that more sanctions on Iran might constrict supply.
US stocks have ended little changed as financials rose with bond yields, while news that President Donald Trump instructed aides to proceed with tariffs on about $US200 billion of Chinese products limited gains.
Australian shares have finished higher on Friday, buoyed by improving global sentiment around trade, solid Chinese economic data and a bout of local buying by bargain hunters.
US stocks have risen as Apple led a rebound in technology shares and as trade worries eased after China said it was open to fresh talks with the United States.
Oil prices have fallen more than two per cent, with Brent slipping back from four-month highs as investors focused on the risk that emerging market crises and trade disputes could dent demand even as supply tightens.
The Australian share market has closed lower, dragged down by losses in the banking and health care sectors, while the Aussie dollar had a boost from better-than-expected jobs data and easing US-China trade tensions.
Oil futures have risen, with Brent reaching $US80 a barrel, after a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories and as US sanctions on Iran added to concerns over global oil supply
The benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average opened flat as gains in energy companies helped offset a slide in technology stocks, which weighed on the Nasdaq.
The Australian share market has returned to its downward trend, closing lower on Wednesday after a rare gain a day earlier as US-China trade concerns again weigh on investor confidence.
US stocks have started the day with little change as gains in technology stocks helped the Nasdaq regain footing and curbed losses in the materials and industrials sectors after fears of an escalation in the Sino-US trade spat.
Oil prices rose more than two per cent as US sanctions squeezed Iranian crude exports and after US crude oil production in 2019 was forecast to grow at a slower rate than previously expected, prompting supply concerns.
Woolworths is facing a potential $100 million class action launched on behalf of investors whose shares lost value following a shock 2015 profit downgrade by the supermarket giant.
Australian shares are higher in morning trade after a stronger performance on Wall Street overnight where investors are eyeing another round of tax cuts for US businesses.
US stock indexes have opened higher, boosted by the consumer discretionary sector, while hopes for a new round of tax cuts overshadowed fears of an escalation in the Sino-US trade war.
The state government has announced that Fairbridge WA will take over operation of six camp schools across the state, while parent group Family Support WA will manage Landsdale Farm in Perth's northern suburbs.
Wall Street's major indexes have fallen as US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of additional tariffs on Chinese imports and Apple Inc indicated that some of its products could be subjected to such levies.
Oil prices are steady, with US crude slipping on weak global equity markets while Brent inched up on geopolitical factors, including violent protests in Iraq.
