Financial Services

Oakajee 'the only long-term option'; Sage snaps up $73m debt; Coke deal loses its fizz; LNG aid irks gas alliance; BHP rules out Rio bid, concedes Ravensthorpe flawed

Western Australia's native timber industry has expressed shock at the state government's blanket rejection of requests for financial assistance, predicting job losses and mill closures will result.

iiNet will lodge its defence in the Federal Court today over allegations the internet service provider authorised customers to download films in breach of copyright laws.

Global Construction services plans to raise up to $4.7 million through a placement and has launched a share purchase plan, all in a bid to increase working capital and strengthen its balance sheet.

The state's mining sector has bucked the trend of the Deloitte WA Index in January, with stock values rising by over 3 per cent.

VDM Group is expecting a better second half performance after forecasting its first half profit to fall to $3 million, prompting its shares to fall by as much as 63 per cent in trade today.

The tax office has warned mining companies to be cautious before entering into arrangements that allow for immediate deduction claims for future obligations to rehabilitate a mine site.

Cooper Energy is set to pocket some $23 million after deciding to accept the higher cash takeover offer for Incremental Petroleum.

Treasury head says spend now; Suncorp's issue shock as CEO goes; Macquarie profit set to slump; Cost cuts spook PwC partners; Lend Lease slumps on raising

Shares in Incremental Petroleum have closed up nearly 23 per cent as suitor TransAtlantic Petroleum Corporation sweetens its takeover bid.

An Extract Resources director facing the boot from a major shareholder has called for a meeting for the removal of two of his fellow board members.

Two major shareholders in Subiaco-based Red Fork Energy have spent a combined $1 million boosting their interests in the oil and gas explorer.

The proposed merger between Australasian Resources and billionaire Clive Palmer's Resource Development International is anticipated to take place next year as the latter re-schedules its listing plans.

THE six not-for-profit organisations that have teamed up to buy the failed ABC Learning centres say childcare should be the responsibility of not-for-profit organisations and not the corporate sector.

IF Premier Colin Barnett is looking for places to find new jobs and boost the state's royalty income, he needs to look no further than the gold industry.

The Note loves to trawl the annual returns of WA’s political parties to see just who gives what.

THE past 12 months have been an unsettling time for truffle project manager Oak Valley Gourmet.

Brockman Resources managing director Wayne Richards has exercised $500,000 worth of options at nearly half the company’s share price.

SMALL business has been urged to manage their cash flow more carefully this year as the global economic downturn creates more financial pressure.

The outlook for WA is not as gloomy as some are predicting.

BROCKMAN Resources managing director Wayne Richards has taken advantage of the recent upswing in the company's share price, exercising 1 million options in the money.

ONE in six BankWest customers and more than 7 per cent of St George customeras plan to vote with their feet and leave the banks as a result of the recent corporate activity, a new poll by Retail Banki

CARBON credits have been a major growth area in the forestry sector, as companies move to exploit the market created by the federal government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, due for introduction in mid 2010.

The Note raised an eyebrow at a bit of research floating about this week suggesting one in six BankWest customers could vote with their feet and leave the bank as a result of the recent takeover by Co

The downturn in managed investment schemes could hurt horticulture, while the carbon credit market is boosting forestry projects.

US Supreme Court ruling paved the way for financial meltdown.

TWO of the state's most recognisable brands have awarded media and creative contracts to agencies in Perth and in Sydney.

Shareholders in Gindalbie Metals have approved a $162 million share placement to AnSteel, which will boost the Chinese steelmaker's stake to over 36 per cent.

Building approvals in Western Australia rose over 12 per cent during December, bucking the national trend which declined for a sixth consecutive month.

Fortescue Metals Group has agreed to settle a shipping contract dispute with the issue of $US22 million ($A34 million) worth of shares and has entered into a shipping joint venture.

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has admitted the Ravensthorpe nickel operation was not the "finest investment decision" as the miner reported a 56.5 per cent drop in first half profit.

CBA, Westpac mull loan book as Dexia plans exit; Westfield goes shopping for $2.9b; Qantas asks for $500 million; Big punch but doubts still linger; New logo for Woodside to mark focus on LNG