Financial Services

A COUPLE of Western Australian exploration minnows have this week secured deals and appointments that are likely to breathe new life into the companies.

THE experience of working with a heritage building can present architects with both major constraints and a unique opportunity.

ONE by one they fall.he council investment saga started almost two years ago with the realisation that one of their popular investments, a Lehman Brothers-arranged investment branded Federation, was exposed to the American sub-prime mortgage market, and l

The true price of power will soon become apparent to Western Australians.

THE state government will prosecute Apache Energy over the Varanus Island explosion, but many businesses believe the response pales in comparison with the Victorian Esso-Longford explosion of 1998, which generated a Royal Commission.

THE usual response when a business offers something for nothing is incredulity.

DURING the past two years, Neptune Marine has been on a breakneck growth path, which has scared many investors who find it difficult to assess such a fast-moving target.

PERTH universities have embarked on major capital works programs, developing award-winning, world-class research and learning facilities without sacrificing design aesthetics.

Perth's southern suburbs have recorded the highest number of houses listed for sale in the metropolitan region with prices generally 5 per cent lower, latest figures show.

The state government expects to save $280 million over four years from reforms to the capital works program including enhancing the use of public-private partnerships and moving thousands of public sector workers out of the city's government buildings.

GRD Minproc, a subsidiary of GRD, has secured definitive feasibility study work for Canadian mining company Greystar Resources' gold and silver project in Colombia.

Jabiru Metals plans to raise up to $11.5 million to fast-track exploration and development of the newly discovered Bentley project.

Shares in Nedlands-based explorer ABM Resources have jumped after the finalisation of a deal with the Nick Archibald-led Ochre Holdings, which potentially could take control of the company.

Woodside eyes Chevron gas for Pluto expansion; China rejects iron ore price deal; Councils eye court action over losses; Chinalco baulks on Rio funding; Regulator to crack down on auditors

West Perth-based explorer Forte Energy, formerly Murchison United, plans to raise $10 million through institutional investors to advance its uranium projects in West Africa.

Explorer West Australian Metals plans to raise up to $9.9 million in a bid to secure cornerstone investors for its Marenica uranium project in Namibia.

Western Australia has bucked the national trend in new home sales with deals down 4 per cent in April while the national figure rose to a 14-month high, new data from a home building industry group shows.

Fortescue Metals Group has recorded a gross profit of $US497 million ($A618 million) during the nine months to the end of March 2009.

Port Bouvard is the latest property developer to branch out into funds management after receiving a financial services license by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

Takeover target Bonaparte Diamond Mines has recommended shareholders reject a bid by Union Resources, deemed fair and reasonable by independent experts, in favour of the Minemakers offer.

Grange Resources will pocket $2 million plys royalties after reaching a deal to offload its majority interest in an Malaysian iron ore mine.

A merger between generator Verve Energy and retailer Synergy is still on the cards with Premier Colin Barnett expected to make an announcement in the next couple of months.

Avoca Resources has hit back at KPMG's high valuation of takeover target Dioro Exploration's share price, saying it does not reflect market value.

Uranium explorer Bannerman Resources has unveiled a $37.5 million capital raising plan with commitments already received for up to $30 million.

Subiaco-based Deep Yellow will team up with Toro Energy to explore uranium tenements in Namibia.

Less than four months after raising over $14 million, Platinum Australia has raised a further $61.2 million to be applied to its Smokey Hills project in South Africa and acquisition opportunities.

Engineering company Monadelphous Group has secured a $170 million contract for major works on Woodside Petroleum's $12 billion Pluto liquefied natural gas project.

The federal government has defended stimulus payments to 16,000 dead people and 25,000 expats, worth a collective $40 million, saying it was "unavoidable".

Fortescue Metals Group will make an upfront payment of $32 million and restructure a shipping arrangement as part of a settlement to a dispute with a shipping company.

Rising Stars- The Judges

A NUMBER of readers have asked me to explain how to go about finding share trading opportunities and what criteria I use to select stocks that might move rapidly in the share market.

THE average weekly wage in Western Australia has grown more than 6 per cent over the past year to $1,338, higher than the national average of $1,182.