Rate Hike Looms as Oil Prices Weigh on Aussie Shares

Australian shares are experiencing a mixed start to the week as investors await an anticipated interest rate increase.

High oil prices continue to pressure price growth, but rallies in banks, utilities, and healthcare stocks have partially offset this trend.

The mining sector has seen significant fluctuations, with a slump in miners counterbalancing gains in other sectors.

In related news, South African gold giant Gold Fields is set to pursue its takeover approach for Australia's leading goldminer, Newcrest Mining, despite the company's board rejecting the offer worth nearly $40 billion.