Rising bank stocks drove a late surge on the ASX on Wednesday after Westpac announced a hike in mortgage rates, adding to earlier gains from easing global trade tensions.
Oil prices have slipped as some investors take profits on recent strong gains, but losses were limited the day after a US-Mexico trade agreement eased worries about tensions between the two countries.
US stock indexes have risen, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indexes hitting fresh all-time highs, as a trade agreement between the United States and Mexico calmed fears of a global trade war.
The Royal Automobile Club of WA today announced that current group chief executive Terry Agnew will step down in March 2019 after 20 years in the role.
Australian shares have opened higher, helped by gains in financial and resources stocks, as local investors take cues from an overnight rally on Wall Street.
US stocks have posted strong gains, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting all-time highs, as news that the United States and Mexico were closing in on a trade deal added to optimism about the economy.
Oil prices have edged up, supported by a strengthening equities market and news that the United States and Mexico agreed to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The benchmark S&P 500 stock index has clinched its longest bull-market run, closing above its previous January high, as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed the US central bank's current pace of rate hikes.
Oil prices gained more than 1 per cent on Friday, ending a run of weekly declines on signs that Iran sanctions may limit global supply and that a trade war may not curb China's appetite for US crude.
The Australian share market has closed barely higher, falling back from a surge on Friday in the wake of Scott Morrison's selection as the nation's next prime minister.
Australian shares have opened higher, helped by strength in healthcare and resources stocks, but gains could be capped following a weaker finish on Wall Street overnight and domestic political turmoil.
Wall Street's major indexes fell as trade-sensitive stocks were hit by a fresh round of tariffs in the trade dispute between the United States and China.
Oil prices have steadied as the escalating trade war between the United States and China weighed on demand expectations a day after prices jumped on a big draw in US crude inventories.
Australian shares have fallen on Thursday with banking and utilities stocks down, while the turmoil around the future of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken its toll on the Aussie dollar.
US stocks have closed mixed, with the Nasdaq gaining on the strength of tech stocks while the S&P 500 was little changed as it marked its longest bull market run.
Oil prices have jumped three per cent, with Brent crude futures hitting a three-week high, after US government data showed a larger-than-expected draw in crude inventories and as Washington's sanctions on Iran signalled tightening supplies.
A solid run of upbeat profit results has failed to keep Australian shares aloft on Wednesday as political uncertainty and the abandonment of big business tax cuts dominated news of the day.
The benchmark S&P 500 has touched a record high and equalled its longest ever bull-market run, as US stocks rose on earnings reports in the consumer sector and relative calm in the trade dispute between the United States and China.
Australian shares fell back on Tuesday, with falls for BHP and the broader mining sector and a retreat in banks and consumer stocks weighing on the market.
