AAP

Australian stocks were flat in early trade in a resilient start to the week following solid falls in the US and Europe on Friday.

Tony Abbott has called a special cabinet meeting ahead of the resumption of parliament in a bid to reboot the government's floundering budget sales pitch.

Gold prices rose Friday as tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East trumped investor worries about a potential rise in US interest rates.

The Australian dollar is lower against the strengthened greenback after a neutral speech by US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen surprised the market.

US stocks enjoyed a week of solid gains following a batch of good economic data and mostly strong corporate earnings as concerns about geopolitical hotspots ebbed somewhat.

The share market has posted a seventh straight session of gains, taking it to another new six-year high.

Iluka Resources says it will continue cutting production until conditions improve and blamed lower prices for a fall in first half net profit by two thirds.

Santos has lifted its dividend to shareholders, despite suffering a 24 per cent slide in its first half profit as writedowns in Indonesia offset higher production and sales.

The Australian stock market has pushed higher, following gains in the US and Europe.

Gold futures fell to a two-month low on Thursday as stronger US economic data intensified investor worries about higher interest rates.

The S&P 500 has set a new record as US stocks powered higher, shrugging off geopolitical problems elsewhere and gaining from fresh signs of strength in the US economy.

The Australian dollar has rebounded back above 93 US cents after losing ground on Thursday on the back of weak Chinese manufacturing data.

Oil prices have been pushed higher after a batch of solid economic data in the United States, the world's top consumer of crude, lifted demand hopes.

After a stellar start, the Australian share market has been reined in by disappointing Chinese manufacturing figures.

Unions have called on mining giant BHP Billiton to guarantee entitlements and enterprise agreements for workers affected by its demerger.

Cash Converters is expecting a stronger year ahead after new regulations on lending hit its earnings.

An improving housing market has helped Mirvac Group to triple its full-year profit, with the property group expecting to grow its earnings further over the next 12 months.

Caltex says it will defend claims by Australia's consumer watchdog, that it used a third-party website to collude with other major players on petrol prices.

Qantas said it is yet to make a decision on the future of its profitable frequent flyer business.

The Australian share market has pushed again to new post-global financial crisis highs, following an encouraging lead from the United States market and positive sentiment generated by local company earnings.

The Australian dollar is lower after minutes from the US Federal Reserve's last meeting suggested intensifying debate over plans for a rate hike.

Global oil prices have rebounded from multi-month lows after a surprisingly big drop in US oil inventories.

Wall Street stocks have finished mostly higher as US Federal Reserve minutes showed rising debate over recent improvements in the jobs market.

The share market has closed higher as a positive investor response to a generous payout from Coles owner Wesfarmers outweighed a sharp fall in BHP Billiton shares.

Clive Palmer hung up the phone during a radio interview to avoid answering questions about controversial comments made by a senator from his party.

Australia needs to grasp opportunities to expand into the Chinese food and milk markets as quickly as possible, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens said.

The share market has opened slightly lower due to a big drop by mining giant BHP Billiton.

Wesfarmers will give an extra $1.1 billion back to shareholders after lifting its full year profit 19 per cent.

Woodside Petroleum has increased half-year net profit by 27 per cent and says it is confident about gas demand despite a large number of new projects coming online.

The Australian dollar is weaker against the strengthening greenback, following promising US economic data.

The government has warned MP Clive Palmer against using his position in parliament to insult China amid a high profile legal battle with a Chinese company.

World oil prices have fallen, with the New York benchmark below $US95 a barrel for the first time since January ahead of the weekly US inventories report and the contract's expiration.