Australian shares are flat at the start of a new trading week with early losses for the big banks cancelling out gains for mining and utilities stocks.
Wall Street's three major indexes tumbled and the Dow confirmed a correction as weak data from China and Europe stoked fears of a global economic slowdown.
Oil prices have dropped about two per cent, weighed down by falling US stock markets, while weak economic data from China pointed to lower fuel demand in the world's biggest oil importer.
Gold has fallen to its lowest in over a week and was on track to mark its biggest weekly decline in more than a month, as the dollar climbed on robust US economic data ahead of a US Federal Reserve meeting next week.
The Australian share market lost more than one per cent, with financial stocks weighing heavily as renewed fears about a global growth slowdown gripped investors pessimistic about dour economic data from China.
Oil prices climbed one per cent overnight after data showed inventory declines in the United States and as investors began to expect that the global oil market could have a deficit sooner than they had previously thought.
Gold eased to its lowest level in nearly one week overnight as the dollar rose and investors latched on to gains in global stocks, while palladium touched record highs on expectations of higher demand for the auto-catalyst metal.
Banking and mining stocks have lifted the Australian share market higher, but gains were limited by a slump from the telco sector after the competition watchdog raised concerns over TPG's planned merger with Vodafone Australia.
Perron Group has announced key board appointments after the passing of its founder Stan Perron and disclosed the “greater majority” of its $4 billion in net assets will be donated to charity.
The Australian share market has opened higher but telco stocks are keeping the gains in check after the competition watchdog raised concerns over TPG Telecom's planned merger with Vodafone Australia.
Oil prices have risen, bolstered by export cuts from Libya and planned OPEC-led production cuts, pulling back briefly after the United States reported a smaller-than-expected crude inventory drawdown.
Gold prices edged higher as the dollar slipped overnight and expectations for the number of US interest rate hikes next year dimmed, increasing the appeal of non-interest yielding bullion.
US stocks have closed up, though well below their session highs as investors pulled back in the last few minutes of trading despite optimism about US-China trade relations and some reassuring signs in British politics.
The Australian share market has closed higher, buoyed by a surge in banking and energy stocks as trade tensions ease and investors cash in on cheaper shares.
Gold is holding steady near a five-month peak as expectations for fewer interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve next year supported the non-yielding precious metal.
The S&P 500 and the Dow have closed marginally lower after volatile trading as investors swivelled their focus between China-US trade talks, President Donald Trump's threat to shut down the US government and political uncertainty in Britain.
Mining and health care stocks lifted the Australian share market higher, but the gains did little to recover the significant losses inflicted during Monday's trading.
Gold edged lower as the US dollar firmed against the pound on doubts about Britain's departure from the European Union, but falling equities and prospects of a slower pace of US interest rate hikes in 2019 kept bullion near a five-month peak.
Oil prices have fallen nearly two per cent, echoing the weakness in global stock markets as the focus returned to demand growth concerns and crude prices erased some of the gains made last week on an OPEC-led decision to cut output.
The Australian share market slumped to a two-year low, weighed down by the major banks as hopes for a trade resolution between the US and China continue to dissipate.
One month after resigning as a director, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis has rejoined West Perth-based contractor Tempo Australia as chair, replacing Charlie Bontempo, who resigned two weeks ago.
IOOF Holdings' managing director and chairman have stepped aside following moves by the prudential regulator to disqualify the beleaguered wealth manager's top brass.
