Oil prices has inched higher, as investor optimism over the effectiveness of producer cuts encouraged record bets on a sustained rally, although growing US output and stubbornly high stockpiles kept price gains in check.
Gold has firmed as the US dollar has softened, although trading was thin due to the US holiday and as markets awaited details on President Donald Trump's tax policy.
The Australian share market has opened slightly lower as Wesfarmers goes ex-dividend and logistics firm Brambles unveils a weaker-than-expected half-year profit.
Oil prices have ended steady on the day but lower on the week, with US crude notching its first weekly decline in five weeks, as the market weighed rising US drilling and record stockpiles against efforts by major producers to cut output to reduce a global glut.
Gold prices have eased but have notched a weekly gain as investors opted for the safe-haven qualities of bullion due to uncertainty about US and European politics as well as the direction of stock markets.
Australian shares fell as losses across healthcare, resource and energy companies offset gains in some banking and real estate stocks amid another batch of company earnings results.
The Australian share market has opened flat, as strength in the industrials and IT sectors bolsters local shares against falls on Wall Street overnight.
Capital gain tax splits CoalitionThe Coalition is split over whether to cut capital gains tax concessions for property investors, prompting Prime Minister Malco
Gold has risen as the US dollar has weakened following a 10-day winning streak and investors take the opportunity to buy bullion as a hedge against political uncertainty in the United States and Europe.
A big drop in Telstra shares following a disappointing half-year profit result has weighed upon a relatively flat Australian share market in another busy day of company earnings reports.
Wall Street pushed further into record-high territory, with the S&P 500 notching a seven-session winning streak, helped by a round of robust economic data and ongoing optimism that President Donald Trump will cut corporate taxes.
Budget crisis puts CGT in playThe Turnbull government is planning a crackdown on capital gains tax concessions for property investors to seize the mantle on housing aff
Gold has risen as the dollar comes off its highs, shrugging off earlier pressure from stronger-than-forecast US inflation and retail sales that added to expectations for near-term US interest rate rises.
Strong investor demand for financial stocks, thanks to Commonwealth Bank's record first-half profit, has pushed the share market to its highest level since mid-2015.
Morrison shrugs off iron bonusThe federal government will frame a May budget with tax increases or spending cuts to make up for its blocked omnibus bill, despite a pote
US stocks were little changed, with the "Trump rally" pausing ahead of a testimony by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that will be scrutinised for clues on the timing of the next interest rate hike.
The Australia share market is heading towards the key 5,800 mark, thanks to strong investor demand for resource, healthcare and financial stocks after Wall Street hit record highs.
Welfare cuts or taxes will fund NDISA threat by the Turnbull government to tie billions in welfare cuts to funding for the National Disability Insurance Support
