Rising oil prices have worsened worries about the high inflation weighing on consumers and companies with the Reserve Bank under increasing pressure to raise rates.

The Australian sharemarket slumped to a six-week low on Tuesday, with investors bracing for higher interest rates as the Middle East conflict continues to push up fuel costs.

Shares fall; Oil pushes toward $US100 a barrel amid Middle East tensions; Austal pops 7pc; China’s DeepSeek taps CITIC Securities for IPO. Follow live.