Government

The Australian share market has opened flat as market sentiment is pulled in opposite directions by optimism about a Chinese economic stimulus package, and pessimism about the UK House of Commons defeat of the Brexit deal.

Wind and solar generation backed by storage are competitive with coal and gas, according to a recent report by the CSIRO, but that does not mean coal-fired generation will be out of the picture.

More than a third of Australian risk management experts believe legislative and regulatory changes are the biggest threat to local businesses this year, ahead of a federal election and growing economic protectionism overseas.

The state government's trend of appointing female leaders to run key agencies has continued, with Kaylene Gulich appointed chief executive of the Western Australian Treasury Corporation today.

Job vacancies in Australia edged higher in the three months to November to notch an all-time peak, hinting that demand for labour remains strong despite a low unemployment rate.

Industry super roars to the lead

The state government has hit a key milestone in the partial privatisation of Landgate, seeking a private sector operator to undertake automated land titling transactions.

Employers are expected to add more staff in the first three months of 2019 than at any time in the past four years in Western Australia, according to new research by recruitment firm Manpower Group.

Opponents continue to blast government changes to lobster licensing arrangements as it emerges that, despite the state potentially pocketing nearly $70 million annually from the moves, a cost benefit analysis of the major policy shift unveiled in December was not undertaken.

Western Australia exported its highest ever value of goods in a single month in November, as the nation posted another trade surplus.

The Australian share market is flat despite renewed optimism over US-China trade relations, with the big banks and supermarkets dragging in early trade.

Labor plans overhaul of job welfare

Gold has risen again, just below a more than six-month peak hit in the last session, as the dollar slid on reduced chances of further rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve, and as the United States and China resumed trade talks.

Oil prices have edged higher, rebounding further from 18-month lows reached in December, on support from OPEC production cuts and steadying equities markets.

Amazon.com and Netflix have fuelled a second straight session of gains on Wall Street, as the resumption of US-China trade talks helped ease concerns that have pummelled the market in recent months.

The ASX has shaken off most of its losses from its dismal December, closing at its highest level in over a month.

The final months of 2018 hit investors in Western Australian stocks hard, with the Business News index of 30 local ASX-listed companies falling 13.3 per cent.

The Australian share market has burst out the gate with heavyweight mining and banking stocks leading the way, while an oil price leap also has the energy sector surging.

Western Gas hatches new WA LNG project

Oil has risen nearly two per cent after proposed trade talks between the United States and China eased some fears about a global economic slowdown, but gains were capped after the US reported a sharp build in refined product inventories.

Wall Street has surged to close at its highest level in two weeks after a strong jobs report and assurances from US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell that the central bank would be patient and flexible in steering the course of interest rates.

Gold has pulled back from a more than six-month peak, as robust US jobs data eased some concerns about an ailing economy, while palladium prices punched through the key $US1,300 level for the first time.

The Australian share market has shrugged off some of its earlier losses but fears of a slowdown in China have continued to drag on the local bourse.

Fallen Nationals MP Andrew Broad is quitting politics to ensure he doesn't remain a diminished figure and "half-laughing stock" in parliament, after a scandal involving a younger woman.

The Australian share market is chasing Wall Street lower as a revenue warning from tech giant Apple stokes fears of a global economic slowdown.

Miners’ shares soar as $A gold price hits record high

Gold prices have climbed to a six and a half month peak, moving closer to the key $US1,300 an ounce level, as concerns about economic slowdown gripped global markets and fuelled demand for safe-haven bullion.

Oil prices have risen more than one per cent in a session of volatile trade, drawing support from signs that Saudi Arabia is cutting crude output but pressured by concerns that slowing global economic growth could dent demand.

The ASX has surged ahead with gains across all the major sectors, while the Aussie dollar has mostly rebounded from a flash crash that hit many major currencies.

Gold and copper producer Doray Minerals has announced the sale of its Andy Well and Gnaweeda gold projects to Westgold Resources, in a cash and scrip deal worth $15 million.

Western Australia continues to evolve into a globally significant energy metals province, with Pilbara Minerals securing funding to support a second stage of its Pilgangoora lithium mine in the north of the state, while US chemicals giant Albemarle Corporation has begun work on its $1 billion lithium hydroxide facility near Bunbury.

The ASX has surged at the open, boosted by percentage-plus gains for financials, energy and mining stocks, while the Aussie dollar is limping back after slumping to a decade low.