Oil prices rose for the fourth straight day to hit levels not seen since late 2014, boosted by the latest trouble for Venezuelan oil company PDVSA and the possibility that the United States could re-impose sanctions on Iran.
Gold prices have slipped on Monday, snapping three days of gains as the US dollar index strengthened after last week's soft US jobs data did little to dampen optimism about the world's largest economy.
The Australian share market has ended Monday higher, after a positive Wall Street lead and booming oil prices led to early gains, particularly among mining and energy stocks.
ANZ is aiming to clean up its financial planning with new measures that include firing planners who give customers inappropriate advice and removing all sales incentives from its bonus structures.
Australians shares have opened comfortably higher thanks to strong gains in some commodities and after US stocks were buoyed by the release of US employment data.
The Australian dollar has made some small gains on the back of stronger US stocks that were supported by weaker than expected US jobs and wages growth.
Oil prices rose about two per cent on Friday, with US crude hitting its highest in more than three years, as global supplies remained tight and the market awaited news from Washington on possible new US sanctions against Iran.
Gold prices rose slightly on Friday as the US dollar backed off its highs, initially rising after US jobs data was weaker than expected. However the data was still strong enough to support the case for more interest rate increases.
The Australian stock market has opened a touch higher after most base metals prices rose in offshore trade, and Wall Street put in another mixed performance.
Oil prices rose on Thursday, boosted by OPEC production cuts and the potential for new US sanctions against Iran, but gains were limited by growing US crude inventories.
Gold prices gained on Thursday, one day after the US central bank reassured investors that increases to interest rates would be gradual and as the US dollar softened, with geopolitical uncertainties also providing support.
Gains in oil and base metals prices have helped push the Australian share market higher, which is getting support from the energy, mining, and retail sectors.
The Australian dollar has followed Wall Street lower after the US Federal Reserve indicated that it is on track to raise its interest rate at its next policy meeting in June.
Oil prices strengthened slightly ahead of the settlement Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and expressed confidence that a recent rise in inflation would be sustained.
Gold prices extended their gains on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve's dovish remarks weakened the US dollar against a basket of currencies, yet bullion remained vulnerable to a possible rising greenback and weak investment demand.
The Australian share market has opened slightly higher despite falls in base metal prices and a mixed session on Wall Street with a promise of a record full-year profit from Qantas supporting industrial stocks.
Oil prices slid more than one per cent on Tuesday as the US dollar remained near a four-month high, but worries that US President Donald Trump will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal underpinned the market.
Gold slid to a four-month low on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting that is being watched for clues on the future pace of interest rate hikes.
