AAP

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent, with RBA governor Philip Lowe continuing to worry about weak household spending and sluggish wages growth.

The export company embroiled in a live trade furore, sparked by footage of animals dying on a voyage to the Middle East, has resumed shipments.

The export company embroiled in a live trade furore, sparked by footage of animals dying on a voyage to the Middle East, has resumed shipments.

Former Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese is facing fresh allegations related to the mining giant's disclosures about its disastrous $US4 billion African coal investment.

ANZ has reported a 16 per cent fall in first-half cash profit to $2.88 billion as it continues to cast off units and refocus on its domestic business.

Commonwealth Bank will have to hold an extra $1 billion in minimum capital after the banking regulator said large profits had blinded the lender to threats such as the money-laundering scandal that ended the tenure of its CEO.

The Australian share market is modestly higher as gains by the energy sector offsets modest falls across the healthcare and the retail sectors.

Oil prices rose on Monday, bouncing off early losses after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had proof that "Iran lied" about its nuclear capabilities, and that he was sure US President Donald Trump would do "the right thing" in reviewing the country's nuclear deal with western powers.

Wall Street has fallen as healthcare stocks slid and investors worried about rising costs for companies as oil prices rose, although the major indexes eked out a gain in April to snap a two-month losing streak.

Gold prices fell to the lowest in nearly six weeks on Monday as the US dollar strengthened and easing tensions on the Korean peninsula helped boost appetite for higher risk assets such as stocks.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in six weeks, wrapping up April with a run of gains that has added 230 points to the benchmark index since March.

The Australian share market has opened higher buoyed by broad-based gains and despite muted offshore leads.

AMP chair Catherine Brenner has quit with immediate effect as the fallout widens from the fees-for-no-service scandal at the Financial Services Royal Commission.

Oil prices edged lower on Friday, although Brent still gained for a third straight week amid supply concerns should the United States reimpose sanctions on Iran.

Gold edged higher on Friday after the US dollar and US Treasury yields backed off highs, but the prospect of a Korean denuclearisation deal eroded bullion's safe-haven appeal.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after US stocks had a flat finish to trade on Friday, and European share markets gained ground.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher after US stocks had a flat finish to trade on Friday, and European share markets gained ground.

The Australian share market has closed comfortably higher, following a lift in global sentiment as major financial stocks recovered from early losses to join all other sectors in positive territory.

A man has died after he was crushed at a coal mine in Collie last night.

Wesfarmers has blamed severe winter weather for another dramatic fall in sales at its struggling Bunnings venture in the UK and Ireland.

The Australian share market has opened higher after some positive company earnings reports boosted US markets.

The Australian dollar is lower after the US dollar rallied following the European Central Bank meeting and the release of better than expected US employment data.

Oil prices gained on Thursday as the risk of renewed US sanctions on Iran, plunging Venezuelan output, and robust global demand shook off the effects of a strong US dollar.

Gold prices hovered near five-week lows on Thursday as a stronger US dollar and lofty US bond yields dampened interest in bullion.

The Australian share market has been dragged lower by the big four banks after UBS downgraded Westpac in a report that questioned the quality of the lender's mortgage book.

The banking regulator has announced plans to remove the cap it placed on property lending to investors three years ago in response to booming borrowing levels and an overheating property market.

Coles' food and liquor sales rose in the third quarter, with parent company Wesfarmers citing lower prices and improved service and quality for customers.

Australian shares have opened flat with investors remaining cautious following the news US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will visit China next week amid trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

The Australian dollar has fallen to a new four month low as the US dollar rallies against most major currencies after US Treasury bonds broke the three per cent mark.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday despite data showing rising US inventories, holding within sight of three-year highs reached the previous day on geopolitical tensions including the prospect of fresh sanctions on Iran.

Gold prices slumped to a five-week low on Wednesday as the US dollar jumped and US Treasury yields continued to rise on signs of US economic strength and an easing in the US-China trade conflict.

The Australian share market gained ground as the Australian dollar hovered at a four-month low and inflation remained below the Reserve Bank's target range.