AAP

Gold fell overnight to its lowest in more than a week, as the dollar rallied after comments from US Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida bolstered expectations that the central bank would continue raising interest rates.

An accounting company director in Perth who stole more than $43,000 has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

The Australian share market has closed higher after a positive afternoon of trading, buoyed by the financial sector and supported by commodity-related stocks.

The federal government will lay out its tax and spending plans unusually early in 2019, after the budget brought forward by a month to allow for an election in May.

Oil prices have risen about three per cent, clawing back some of the previous session's steep losses, although gains where capped by uncertainty over global economic growth and further signs of increasing supply, including record Saudi production.

Gold firmed overnight, supported by uncertainty over the future pace of US interest rate hikes and the outcome of the G20 summit later this week when global leaders will focus on trade tensions.

The Australian share market suffered broad-based losses but it was the commodity-related stocks bleeding red which was the biggest drag on the indices.

Global miner Rio Tinto says it will sell its entire stake in Rossing Uranium to China National Uranium Corp for up to $106.5 million.

The embattled Myer board has made a fresh pitch to shareholders ahead of a likely explosive annual general meeting on Friday, declaring the completion of its refinancing was a vote of confidence.

Real estate developer Dexus says it has agreed to set up a $2 billion trust with Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC to invest in Australian logistics properties.

Mining and energy stocks have plunged more than two per cent each, bleeding red all over the Australian share market in a commodity-fuelled opening dive.

US stocks have closed lower in a shortened post-holiday trading session as the energy sector tumbled on continued weakness in oil prices, and the benchmark S&P 500 confirmed its second correction of 2018.

Gold prices have slipped as investors banked on the safety of the dollar over worries about a slowdown in the global economy, exacerbated by a sharp decline in oil prices.

Oil prices have slumped up to nearly eight per cent to the lowest in more than a year, posting the seventh consecutive weekly loss, amid intensifying fears of a supply glut even as major producers consider cutting output.

The Thanksgiving holiday in the US led to a stagnant day of trading on the Australian share market, where banking and energy stocks recouped value and lifted the indices higher.

Wellard shareholders have given the cattle exporter’s remuneration report a strike for the second time in three years at today’s annual meeting in Fremantle.

SPG Law, a British offshoot of a US litigator, represents 240,000 individuals in Brazil, 24 municipal governments, a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and members of the Krenak indigenous community, and has filed three legal claims for unlimited damages over the failure of the Fundao dam in 2015.

The Australian share market has edged lower during volatile early trade, dragged down by the miners and energy stocks but lifted by retailers and consumer stocks.

Gold firmed near two-week highs overnight as the dollar weakened on doubts about the pace of future US interest rate hikes.

Oil prices dipped overnight after US inventories swelled to their highest level since December adding to concerns about a global crude glut but OPEC talk of an output cut limited losses.

The Australian share market has pushed off from the depths of recent lows and closed higher for the first time this week due to broad-based gains to the indices' major sectors.

Australian shares have opened higher thanks to gains for the heavyweight sectors, with the big miners a particular lift for the bourse in early trade.

The S&P 500 ended higher after a brutal two-day sell-off, led by a rebound in energy and technology shares, but the market faltered toward the session's end as Apple shares surrendered gains ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Oil prices rose about $US1 a barrel a barrel overnight, bouncing from the lowest levels in months, after US government data showed strong demand for refined fuel, but concerns remained over rising global crude supply.

Gold prices have risen to a two-week high as the dollar slipped, with uncertainty on the pace of interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve also supporting the metal.

A late rally from banking and health care helped lift the Australian share market off a near two-year low but commodity-related stocks and tech shares weighed heavily.

Coles shares have floated on the Australian Securities Exchange at $12.49, with Wesfarmers' price adjusting in early trade without the supermarket giant in its stable.

The Australian share market has dived to near two-year lows amid a global stock sell-off, with energy and mining stocks bleeding red and the banks also suffering in early trade.

US stocks have extended their recent sell-off, with the S&P 500 hitting a three-week low, as energy shares dropped with oil prices and retailers including Target and Kohl's sank after weak earnings and forecasts.

Gold prices edged downward as investors flocked to the dollar and US government bonds amid steep declines in global stock markets, denting appeal for non-interest bearing bullion.

Oil prices have tumbled about seven per cent, with US crude plunging to its lowest level in more than a year, caught in a broader Wall Street sell-off that was fed by rising concerns about slowing global economic growth.

A late rally from banking stocks kept the Australian share market from the doldrums reached in October, but broad-based losses still dragged the indices lower with local tech stocks following the fortunes of US counterparts.