Australian shares finished virtually unchanged on Monday as gains across the major banks offset weakness in technology, resources and smaller companies.

Australian shares finished a volatile week slightly lower, with oil prices, rising bond yields and interest-rate expectations weighing on the broader market. Beneath the headline indices, however, smaller companies and gold producers recorded stronger performances.

Australian shares posted a second consecutive gain on Thursday, although a strong opening rally faded as investors weighed the prospect of further interest-rate increases.

Australian shares regained some ground on Wednesday, but the recovery now faces an overnight test from US consumer spending figures, inflation indicators and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision.

The Australian market finished Tuesday at a three-month low, with the ASX 200 falling 80.5 points, or 0.92%, to 8,669.40 as selling across banks and resources outweighed buying in healthcare and technology.

Brent crude is back above US$100 a barrel. What is driving it, what could reverse it, and how the ASX oil names differ by stage, from producers to explorers.

Copper has pushed into record territory above US$14,700 a tonne, driven by mine-supply problems, tariff-related stockpiling and rapidly growing electricity demand. We examine what is behind the copper price rally, whether it can last and which ASX copper stocks provide investors with exposure.