AAP

Gold prices rose on Thursday as investors remained concerned about the imminence of a trade deal between the United States and China, while a slip in riskier assets and the US currency further supported the metal.

The Australian share market has risen broadly while the dollar has slumped to a one-month low after a rise in unemployment increased hopes for a fourth cash rate cut.

Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott says the Bunnings and Kmart owner has detected a "modest improvement" in retail conditions following a lift in property prices and government tax rebates.

Western Australia has recorded the largest increase in employment of any state for the month of October, up by 6,300 people, but its unemployment rate has remained static at 5.7 per cent, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Medibank chief executive Craig Drummond says the private health insurer's policyholder growth since the end of the last financial year is twice that of the prior corresponding period.

Nearmap shares have gained more than 16 per cent after the digital imagery company reaffirmed its guidance for this financial year.

BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie will retire as boss of the world's biggest miner at the end of 2019, when insider Mike Henry will take the reins.

The Australian share market has risen and the dollar slumped after jobs data for October showed a rise in unemployment.

Oil prices edged up overnight after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said it saw no signs of global recession and rival US shale oil production could grow by much less than expected in 2020.

Gold gained overnight as US President Donald Trump's speech on the trade ties with China diminished optimism for a deal and dented risk appetite.

The Australian share market has fallen, with every sector save one in the red, after US President Donald Trump threatened to escalate his trade war with China if the two countries can't reach a deal.

A 30-year-old FIFO worker accused of murdering a colleague on a Pilbara mine site has faced a West Australian court.

Wages growth softened as expected in the September quarter, offering more insight into why household consumption remains sluggish.

Afterpay will be available on eBay's local site next year in what the buy now, pay later service says represents its largest online arrangement in Australia.

The Australian share market has moved lower, dragged down by falls in the heavyweight mining and financial sectors.

Oil prices were little changed overnight after paring gains of about 1.0 per cent following a speech from US President Donald Trump that offered few new details about his country's trade talks with China.

Gold slipped overnight to its lowest in more than three months on increased appetite for riskier assets while US President Donald Trump failed to provide any information on the trade deal with China in his speech.

The Australian share market has given up some of Monday's gains, pulled lower by ex-dividend Westpac and the health care sector.

The Western Australian government is making it easier for people to access medicinal cannabis.

Nine Entertainment shares have slumped by more than seven per cent after the media network flagged a lower first-half result on a decline in capital city free-to-air TV advertising.

The Australian share market has opened lower following a dip in stocks on Wall Street.

Oil prices edged lower overnight as little progress on US-China trade negotiations kept prices pressured but bullish inventory data in the United States offered some support.

Gold fell overnight to its lowest in more than three months, dragged below technical support as upbeat risk sentiment kept US stock indexes close to record levels, while investors awaited news on the US-China trade talks.

The Australian share market has finished at a three-month closing high after a broad rally led by CSL and three of the four big banks.

BHP Group's petroleum division head says the business is set to deliver strong returns and cash flow through the 2020s and beyond, supported by a raft of high-potential projects, including the Scarborough gas project in which it holds a 25 per cent stake.

Real estate classifieds group Domain will pay up to $35 million for the operator of digital property service Real Time Agent.

Australian mining contractor Perenti Global says helicopters are being used to evacuate its local workers from a West African goldmine following a deadly militia attack that killed dozens.

The Australian share market has opened higher as strong gains in the healthcare sector offset declines among the large miners.

Oil prices edged higher on Friday after earlier falling more than 1.0 per cent following comments from US President Donald Trump that he had not agreed to roll back tariffs on China.

Gold extended losses to a three-month low on Friday as positive developments in US-China trade talks tarnished the metal's safe-haven appeal, putting it on track for the biggest weekly decline in three years.

The Australian share market has closed flat, as gains in riskier assets on optimism the US and China could reach an interim trade deal was offset by declines in defensive stocks.

The Reserve Bank has confirmed a downgraded full-year economic growth forecast for 2019 and now thinks it will take longer before growth starts heading back toward its unchanged longer-term target.