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The Australian dollar is trading slightly lower against its US counterpart, which has continued to gain against major currencies.

Gold edged lower on Friday and was headed for a fifth straight weekly decline, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week.

Oil prices rose about one per cent on Friday on hopes that non-OPEC producers meeting in Vienna over the weekend would agree to output restrictions following limits OPEC announced last week to curb an oil glut.

Tax cut would boost incentive to workCutting the top marginal tax rate would encourage labour participation and help return the budget surplus, economists argue.

The share market has posted a fourth straight day of gains to hit its highest level since late August.

The Australian share market has kicked off flat on Friday after gaining 2.6 per cent over the past three trading sessions, despite record highs on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar has slipped against its US counterpart with the greenback rising after the European Central Bank extended its quantitative easing program by nine months.

Major US stock indexes climbed again on Thursday and set fresh record highs as a month-long rally following the presidential election of Donald Trump rolled on.

Gold retreated into the red on Thursday after the dollar rebounded on the back of a decision by the European Central Bank to extend monthly asset purchases until next December albeit at a lower monthly level.

Oil rebounded from the week's lows to close above $US50 a barrel on Thursday, on growing optimism that non-OPEC producers might agree to cut output following a cartel agreement to limit production.

Woolworths smashes ACCC on suppliersWoolworths has scored a stunning win after being cleared of acting unconscionably by demanding retrospective payments

Strong investor support for financial and mining stocks has driven a third straight day of gains and taken the market to a near four month high.

The Australian share market has opened broadly higher with banks and miners leading a year-end "Santa Claus rally".

Wall Street surged on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Dow hitting fresh record intraday highs, as equities continued their march upward after the presidential election of Donald Trump, even as his comments on prescription drug pricing wounded the healthcare sector.

The Australian dollar has strengthened against its US counterpart and is once again heading toward 75 US cents.

Oil prices eased overnight on bearish US petroleum inventory data and doubts that production cuts promised by OPEC and Russia would be deep enough to end a supply overhang that has weighed on markets for more than two years.

Gold rose further from this week's 10-month low overnight as the US dollar eased against the euro ahead of a European Central Bank meeting, and on the view that a US rate rise next week was already reflected in prices.

Bunnings chief to renovate WesfarmersOutgoing Bunnings boss John Gillam will advise Wesfarmers on asset sales, acquisitions and the arriv

The share market closed nearly 1 per cent higher, boosted by a positive session on Wall Street and confidence the resources sector will continue to improve.

The Australian share market has opened more than half a per cent higher in the wake of a positive lead from US markets and confidence among investors.

Wall Street has climbed as telecom stalwarts AT&T and Verizon gained and bank shares added to their torrid post-election rally, helping the Dow set another record closing high.

The Australian dollar is nearly flat with traders taking a breather ahead of the release of Australian GDP figures and next week's US interest rates meeting.

Gold hovered near 10-month lows on Tuesday as the market braced for an increase in US interest rates this month and anticipated more monetary tightening next year.

Oil prices overnight ended lower for the first time in a week since OPEC agreed to cut output on growing scepticism that the cartel would be able to reduce supplies as data showed record high production in most major export regions.

Shorten says no to loan for Adani mineOpposition Leader Bill Shorten has declined to back a call by the Queensland Labor government for the Commonwealth to help finance a

Australian shares have held on to positive territory on Tuesday after riding an early boost from a record close on Wall Street.

The Australian share market is higher in early trade, bouncing back from Monday's losses as investors follow the lead in European and US markets overnight.

The Australian dollar has risen against its US counterpart as investors await the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate announcement and economic outlook commentary.

US crude futures strengthened Monday before retreating in post-settlement trade as the market lost confidence OPEC cuts would be sufficient to reduce oversupply given increased US drilling.

Gold fell to its lowest price in 10 months as global equities strengthened and investors shrugged off worries of political instability in Italy, while US Treasury yields rose after US economic data.

Big banks crank up home loan interest ratesCommonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, National Australia Bank

The share market has closed lower with most sectors in negative territory led by a heavy sell-off among the big four banks.