Gold rose as the US dollar weakened, indicating investors are starting to worry about the impact of the US-China trade war on the US economy, luring some buyers back into precious metals investments.
Australian shares have opened higher, mirroring an overnight recovery on Wall Street after the heavyweight mining sector was helped by improved copper and iron ore prices.
Oil futures rose more than one per cent on signs that OPEC would not be prepared to raise output to address shrinking supplies from Iran, and as Saudi Arabia signaled an informal target near current levels.
The Australian share market is on course for its second worst month of 2018 after the Trump administration announced additional trade tariffs on China.
The state government has announced Janet Holmes a Court will replace Sam Walsh as chair of the Art Gallery of WA, amidst uncertainty around the future of chief executive Stefano Carboni.
US stocks have fallen, led by declines in technology and consumer discretionary stocks as investors looked to President Donald Trump's announcement regarding tariffs on $US200 billion of Chinese imports.
Oil prices were little changed as the market weighed deepening trade tension between the US and China that is expected to dent global crude demand and potential supply tightening due to Iran sanctions.
A softer dollar and short-covering has lifted gold after two sessions of declines, but investors braced for more US-China trade tensions, with some buying bullion as a safe haven.
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.
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.
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 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.
