Financial Services

A PERSONAL brand may not be something many of us spend too much time consciously cultivating, but the concept is certainly driving growth in the self-help/management sector of the publishing industry.

RETIRED farmer Rosston Vince, of Geraldton, will not partake in an entitlement offer for Aspen Group's ailing property fund, scheduled to close this week.

Investors are returning to the market as the first homebuyer boost nears its end.

China faces an ongoing inability to translate unrivalled financial clout into a dominant relationship with its key Australian suppliers.

WHILE rebranding can be difficult when the high costs and long hours associated with doing so are considered, the companies found on this year's list of 'WA's most underperforming brand' may want to examine their options in this regard.

THE Brand Agency has cemented itself among the state's leading creatives after two of its key clients filled first and second positions in the 'WA's best brand' category in this year's branding survey.

Some familiar names return to fight it out in our annual survey.

MINING identity Andrew Forrest has continued his philanthropic ways, donating his all-scrip director payment from Poseidon Nickel to his charity, The Australian Children's Trust.

A LONG-RUNNING pilot pay dispute at Perth-based Skywest Airlines threatens to escalate into industrial action, as strained negotiations continue this week.

THE Urban Development Institute of Australia hopes the state government's funding of a study of Carnaby's black cockatoos is the first step towards a more streamlined planning and approvals process.

THE decision to rebrand an organisation is often a difficult one to make, due to the challenging, costly and time-consuming nature of the process.

Perth company director Malcolm MacCormick has pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates Court over an insider trading charge.

Distressed asset sales could become the saviour of many Australian businesses and possibly free up some much needed capital tied up in non-performing bank loans, a financial expert says.

Litigation funder IMF (Australia) has agreed to fund claims by various former clients of Perth stockbroker Todd King against Australian Stockbroking and Advisory Services.

Tourism Western Australia have selected Sydney-based creative agency Host to take control of its advertising account, beating out the only local agency that remained on the short list, 303.

West Perth-based software and services provider Stratatel has acquired private IT company Resource Systems and Services for $500,000.

Labor Party defector Vince Catania has denied misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars from the state Labor Party at last year's state election.

Opposition spokesperson Ben Wyatt says the state's finances are in disarray after the latest monthly treasury figures show government expenses had increased by $2 billion.

Emergency waiting time worst in nation; Iron ore spot price poised to jump 12%; Power pressure - business battles soaring energy bills; Harvey says signs are good after sales boost; Last rate cut for some time

Mining identity Andrew Forrest has donated around $10,000 worth of share to his charity, The Australian Children's Trust.

Mining services company Imdex and drilling specialist Coretrack have agreed to a $28.4 million merger that will create an entity focused on the burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Labor defector gives Nationals more power; Dioro set for tie-up, blocking Avoca bid; Bank results boost shares; Produce prices lowest in 10 years; Coalition torn over climate

The state government has committed more than $6 million towards upgrades at 30 regional airports across Western Australia.

South Perth-based Uranium Australia is gearing up for a local stock market listing in October as it receives expressions of interest from brokers to underwrite its $6 million initial public offer.

The state opposition has again slammed the Barnett government's 3 per cent budget cuts with Department of Health the latest to reveal a fire sale of $1.8 million worth of land.

Australia's bid to host the $2.6 billion Square Kilometre Array project has been given a boost by the federal government, which has committed more than $88 million towards a stake in a complementary telescope in Chile.

The low key takeover battle for Target Energy has ended with suitors Advance Energy and Odin Energy allowing the "overvalued" offer to lapse.

Takeover target Dioro Exploration says it is in advanced discussions with Canadian copper and gold miner Northgate Minerals Corporation as original suitor Avoca Resources extends its $68.5 million offer.

BC Iron is one step away from receiving full support from Fortescue Metals Group for its $43 million Pilbara iron ore project, with the miner requesting one further test.

Chinese step up pressure on Barnett over Oakajee; Rising ore prices buoy Rio; Rudd resists ACTU's Buy Australian push; Telstra hears demerger call; Capital floods in at record rate

Coote Industrial will be able to make a start on its growth objectives after it received a $44 million payment from Greentrains while it enters into a major shareholding deal with Elphinstone Group.

West Perth-based Exco Resources has asked Barclays Capital to arrange a $16 million debt financing facility, which together with the recent $7 million equity raising, will be used for the development of the White Dam gold project.