AAP

Australian stocks have crept just above a flatline in cautious end to the week following mixed offshore leads.

Oil prices edged higher overnight as investors hoped the world's biggest producers would cut output more.

Gold prices jumped overnight to their highest in more than a week after a sharp increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in China renewed fears over global economic impact and persuaded investors to seek lower-risk assets.

The Australian share market has closed marginally higher after fears from the Covid-19 coronavirus cast a pall on a record-setting day.

Newcrest Mining has posted an 18 per cent rise in underlying half-year profit, getting a boost from higher realised gold prices and a weaker Australian dollar.

AGL Energy has achieved a 37 per cent rise in the number of Western Australian customers buying its gas, as it continues to eat into the market share of Alinta Energy and Kleenheat.

A $15 billion merger between Vodafone Australia and TPG Telecom has been given the green light in the federal court, but the consumer watchdog says it will cause mobile data prices to rise.

Woodside Petroleum has deferred a final investment decision on the giant Browse gas project as it deals with the complexity of the planned development and unresolved commercial differences with its partners.

Telstra has reported a 7.6 per cent drop in first-half profit to $1.14 billion - in line with guidance and expectations - with bushfires and the ongoing NBN rollout weighing on the telco's bottom line.

Caltex stocks jumped more than three per cent in early trade after it received a improved $8.8 billion buyout proposal from Alimentation Couche-Tard to acquire all its shares at an indicative price of $35.25.

South32 has reported an 80 per cent plunge in half-year underlying profit due to a temporary tax increase and lower prices across key commodities

Australian shares have dived right after reaching a record high following news of a big jump in coronavirus deaths and infections in China.

Oil prices rose over 3 per cent overnight as China reported its lowest daily number of new coronavirus cases since late January, stoking investor hopes that fuel demand in the world's second-largest oil consumer may begin to recover.

Gold prices eased to a near one-week low overnight as risk sentiment improved after a drop in the number of new coronavirus cases comforted markets that the epidemic's effects could be contained.

Stellar results from Commonwealth Bank have pushed the Australian share market higher for second day, even as the mining sector lost ground.

Vitamin company Blackmores has scrapped its interim dividend and slashed its full-year profit guidance, blaming it on adverse costs and the coronavirus outbreak.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's mortgage lending surge has underpinned an expectation-defying first-half result, even as the lender feels the heat from regulatory costs and a bushfire-related rise in loan impairments.

The Australian share market is powering along after positive offshore leads and good local news from market heavyweights CSL and Commonwealth Bank.

Oil prices have edged up from 13-month lows as the number of new coronavirus cases slows in China, easing some concern over the potential for lengthy oil demand destruction.

Gold prices have dipped as the US dollar held firm and investors opted for riskier assets after a fall in the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus in China eased some of fears over global economic impact.

Australian shares have hit a two-week high after an upbeat lead from Wall Street, with gains across the board.

Suncorp's net profit from continuing operations fell 7.2 per cent to $348 million during the first half, weighed down by a surge of bushfire and hailstorm claims.

Australian shares have surged across the board on positive local news and an upbeat lead from Wall Street.

Oil prices fell overnight to their lowest level since December 2018 on weaker Chinese demand in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and as traders waited to see if Russia would join other producers in seeking further output cuts.

The price of gold rose to its highest level in a week on Monday as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak climbed and investors sought safe haven from the economic impact.

The Australian share market has closed lower after global concerns about the coronavirus outbreak caused falls in most sectors.

Boral boss Mike Kane has announced he is standing down after the company confirmed staff at its North American windows business had inflated earnings figures over a 20-month period.

JB Hi-Fi's Christmas has proven music to investors' ears, with strong summer sales and online growth helping the electronics retailer shake sector-wide softness and post a record first-half profit.

Australian shares were below the 7,000 points level at noon as continuing global concerns about the coronavirus outbreak caused falls in most sectors.

Oil prices fell 1 per cent on Friday as Russia said it needed more time before committing to output cuts sought by other large producers while the coronavirus outbreak fanned worries about global crude demand.

Gold prices have risen as fears of an economic slowdown from the coronavirus outbreak and lower interest rates globally offset strong US economic data.

The Australian share market has snapped its three-day winning streak, with broad losses across most sectors despite Wall Street setting new record highs overnight.