In London, the FTSE 100 closed 0.81 per cent higher at 6,329.
At 8:15am AEDT, the Australian dollar was quoted at 71.91 US cents, having gained more than 1 per cent against the Greenback.
On the cross-rates it was buying 66.97 euro cents, 47.02 British pence, 88.35 Japanese yen and $NZ1.09.
West Texas Crude oil had fallen to $US40.50 a barrel, a barrel of Tapis was fetching $US44.50.
Spot gold had edged up to $US1,081.96 an ounce.