Wall Street stocks took a breather this week, finishing down from record levels despite solid US economic data and a successful products launch by Apple.
The share market has suffered its largest weekly fall in a month as falls in almost every sector on Friday contributed to a third straight day of weakness.
The Australian dollar has dropped below 92 US cents for the first time in six months as continued US dollar strength outweighs positive local jobs data.
US stocks have finished little changed as concerns about the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence and weak global inflation data weighed on sentiment.
Enthusiasm about Apple's latest product launches have propelled US stocks higher, with the tech-rich Nasdaq posting the largest gains of the three major indices.
US stocks finished mostly lower following disappointing economic data from China and Japan and the growing spectre of Scotland breaking away from the United Kingdom.
The Australian stock market has started the week on a flat note, with another fall in the iron ore price and concerns about Scotland's upcoming independence vote offsetting a positive lead from the US.
The S&P 500 has jumped to a fresh record after investors concluded that a disappointing August jobs report would discourage the US Federal Reserve from quickly raising interest rates.
Investment banking group Azure Capital has added to the state's small funds management sector by offering an Asian-focused hedge fund run by an experienced operator drawn to Perth for family reasons.
US stocks have closed lower despite an early boost from the European Central Bank's move to further cut interest rates and launch an asset-purchase plan to beat back deflation pressures.
Perth-based boutique investment firm NWQ Capital Management has reached the top of the ranks in risk-adjusted performance for its hedge fund, which invests in hedge-fund products in the Asia-Pacific.
Bankwest today launched its new charity, which will raise funds for community initiatives, as well as a scholarship program that aims to better the lives of Western Australians, and has pledged $1 million per year to the charity for five years.
