AAP

The Australian dollar has risen more than half a US and is back above 76 US cents.

Weak US economic data and disappointing auto sales numbers drove Wall Street down, further dragging on global equity prices after the approval of a fiscal stimulus package by Japan's cabinet failed to cheer markets.

Gold has risen to a four-week high as European and US shares fell and the US dollar hit its lowest in more than a month after last week's soft US growth data dented expectations for a near-term interest rate rise.

The price of US oil has fallen below $US40 a barrel for the first time since April as persistent worries of both a crude and refined fuel glut and a slide in US equities offset an early boost from a weak US dollar.

The Australian share market has closed lower amid concerns over the big banks' net interest margins, following the Commonwealth Bank's decision to lift deposit rates and not pass on in full the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate cut.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates to an all-time low, but already economists are wondering if more will be needed to get the country's economy moving.

Seven West Media shares fell more than 15 per cent after the company forecast a big drop in earnings for the year ahead because of a still-softer advertising market and the cost of broadcasting the Olympics.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

US crude has tumbled below $US40 per barrel for the first time since April, as oil prices settled down more than three per cent on heightened worries of a crude glut despite peak northern summer fuel demand.

The Australian dollar has slipped against a stronger greenback and amid a steep fall in oil prices overnight.

Gold is little changed, hovering just below the prior session's near three-week top as investors cut expectations for a US interest rate rise in the near term.

One Nation candidate Rodney Culleton and the Greens' Rachel Siewert have won the final two out of the 12 Western Australian Senate seats, joining five Liberals, four Labor and one other Green, the Australian Electoral Commission says.

Gaming giant Tabcorp is set to significantly expand its gaming machine monitoring business through the $128 million acquisition of ASX-listed Intecq.

The Australian share market has closed at its highest point in a year despite running out of steam in late trading, partly driven by expectations of an interest rate cut on Tuesday.

Dominic Stevens has taken over as managing director and chief executive of the Australian Securities Exchange, following the resignation of Elmer Funke Kupper earlier this year.

Fairfax Media will record almost $1 billion of impairments when it reports its full-year results next week, with half the hit coming from the unit containing its Australian masthead newspapers.

Northern Star Resources has cut its production guidance after agreeing to sell its Plutonic gold mine in Western Australia for an inital $37.5 million, but it plans to spend $130 million on exploration and expansion work at its other assets.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Oil prices have steadied after touching three-month lows during a week-long selloff fuelled by a persistent global supply glut, bringing the monthly decline to nearly 15 per cent, the biggest monthly loss in a year for US crude.

Gold has risen to its highest level in nearly three weeks after much slower-than-expected US economic growth weighed on the US dollar, and was on track for a second monthly gain in a row.

The Australian dollar has soared against the greenback after figures showed weaker-than-expected US economic growth.

The Australian share market has edged higher in choppy trading for its fifth straight session of gains despite the Bank of Japan's fresh economic stimulus measures disappointing some investors.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher.

US stocks mostly rose in anticipation of results from tech heavyweights Alphabet and Amazon, while the yen eased after Reuters reported the Bank of Japan was considering expanding monetary stimulus to address signs of weak inflation.

Oil prices have fallen nearly two per cent, hitting April lows and with US crude headed for its biggest monthly loss in a year, on growing worries that the world was pumping more crude than needed.

The Australian dollar has fallen against its US counterpart as the greenback staged a minor rebound.

Gold has turned lower after hitting a two-week peak as the US dollar pared losses and US stocks climbed from their lows ahead of a possible Bank of Japan announcement to expand monetary stimulus on Friday.

Australian shares have continued their slow upward push, ignoring a weak lead from Wall Street.

Telstra will be challenged to replace all earnings lost to the National Broadband Network when the rollout of the NBN is completed, says credit ratings agency Moody's.

Virgin Australia will post an annual loss of $224.7 million due to the impairments and charges it expects to record from its plans to position the airline for future profitability.

The fatal Samarco mine disaster in Brazil will dent BHP Billiton's bottom line by up to $US1.4 billion ($A1.9 billion) for the 2015-16 financial year.

The Australian share market has opened about a quarter of a per cent higher.