AAP

Crude prices ended the overnight session slightly higher after a volatile day in which the US benchmark passed $US75 a barrel for the first time in more than three years before turning negative and later recouping its losses.

Gold prices have recovered from a near seven-month low and platinum bounced from close to a 10-year low as the dollar eased.

Australian shares have finished stronger, with gains in financial, energy and health care stocks outweighing losses in the mining sector.

The Reserve Bank has left Australia's official interest rate at its record low level of 1.5 per cent for the 23rd month in a row, with weak household spending remaining an area of concern for the economy.

The Australian share market has opened higher following overnight gains on Wall Street, despite weakness among the major miners.

Oil futures have fallen as supplies from Saudi Arabia and Russia rose while economic growth stumbled in Asia amid escalating trade disputes with the United States.

Wall Street has ended higher after a choppy session, with gains in Apple and other technology stocks offsetting worries about an escalating trade war between Washington and its trading partners.

Gold has slipped more than one per cent to its lowest in 6-1/2 months ahead of a US holiday, and platinum headed to its lowest in nearly 10 years as the greenback strengthened and an ongoing US-European Union trade spat pressured precious metals.

Australian shares have lost ground on the first day of the new financial year as weakness in Asian markets, courtesy of weaker-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data, flowed into local sentiment.

A former insurance broker has admitted funnelling almost $200,000 owed to 35 clients for policy cancellations and adjustments into his own bank accounts.

Oil prices have dipped amid escalating trade disputes between the United States and other major economies, although crude markets remained tight due to supply disruptions, high demand, and the looming US sanctions against Iran.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has backed down from his ‘captain’s call’ to roll back company tax cuts for businesses with turnovers between $10 million and $50 million a year, after a leadership meeting today.

The Australian share market has ended the final trading day of the financial year on a sour note after a late afternoon sell-off, as energy stocks fell despite soaring oil prices and healthcare and financial stocks retreated.

The Australian share market has opened flat despite gains from the miners on the last trading day of the financial year.

The Australian dollar has bounced back and is higher against the greenback, after trading at its lowest level in around 18 months on Thursday.

Oil prices have climbed with US crude hitting a three-and-a-half year high, bolstered by supply concerns due to US sanctions that could cause a large drop in crude exports from Iran.

US stocks have risen as technology and other growth sectors rebounded from the prior day's declines and financial shares snapped a 13-day losing streak.

Western Australia was among the states leading a rise in job vacancies, which lifted 5.7 per cent between February and May driven by with growth in both the private and public sectors.

The Australian share market has broken a four-day losing streak and ended the day higher, with energy and materials stocks leading the gains.

The Australian dollar is lower against the greenback after a moderation in the Trump administration's approach to Chinese investment spurred the US dollar to rally against most major currencies.

Oil prices have jumped as plunging US crude stockpiles compound supply worries in a market already uncertain about Libyan exports, a production disruption in Canada and Washington's demands that im

Gold prices have dipped to a fresh six-month low as the US dollar strengthened, making bullion more expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Australian shares have closed flat on Wednesday, with gains for energy and material stocks not doing enough to overcome losses elsewhere on the market.

The Australian share market has opened flat, with gains in materials and energy offsetting falls in other sectors.

The Australian dollar has fallen below 74 US cents amid a rebound in the US dollar as trade tensions continue and investors focus on hopes of Federal Reserve rate rises.

Crude futures have jumped more than two per cent and US oil topped $US70 for the first time in two months as Washington pushed allies to halt imports of Iranian crude, which would constrain global supplies.

Gold has hit its lowest in more than six months as a selloff in global risk assets eased and the precious metal remained under pressure from the prospect that rising US interest rates will further support the dollar.

Falls across the energy, resource and health care sectors pushed the Australian share market into the red on Tuesday, amid increasing investor fears of a global trade war.

Collins Foods, Australia's biggest KFC franchisee, has lifted full-year profit by 16 per cent, buoyed by the addition of new stores to its network, and despite the Western Australian market being an under-performer.

Roger Federer is sticking with his recent successful formula as he eyes a record-breaking seventh Australian Open title in January, committing to return to the Hopman Cup in Perth.

BHP and joint-venture partner Vale have reached a framework agreement with Brazilian prosecutors to negotiate settlement of a $A55.35 billion claim relating to the fatal 2015 Samarco mine disaster.

The Australian share market is sharply lower, after global equity markets tumbled amid mounting fears of a trade war between the US and other leading economies, especially China and Europe.