Australian shares are set for an opening loss; Dow slips; Eight of 11 S&P 500 sectors lower; oil rises toward $US89 as US/Iran tensions persist. Follow live.

Australian shares are set for an opening loss; Dow slips; Eight of 11 S&P 500 sectors lower; oil rises toward $US89 as US/Iran tensions persist. Follow live.

The Australian sharemarket has opened lower as an escalation in Middle East hostilities rekindled worries about inflation, with oil prices at their highest level in a month.