The Nasdaq Composite fell on Thursday as Facebook led a selloff in technology stocks, but the Dow gained as fears of a transatlantic trade war eased after the European Union and the United States agreed to negotiate on tariffs.
Gold has ticked higher, but was still hovering near one-year lows as the dollar slipped, while a lack of clarity over where a trade dispute between the United States and Europe is heading kept markets mostly rangebound.
The S&P 500 has opened flat as gains in technology shares offset weak earnings from Boeing, General Motors and AT&T, while investors eyed a meeting between President Donald Trump and the head of the European Commission on trade.
Oil prices have risen for the second consecutive day after US government data showed domestic crude inventories fell to their lowest levels since February 2015, easing worries about oversupply that have weighed on markets in recent weeks.
Perth inflation has hit its highest level since 2015, with prices rising 1.1 per cent in the year to June, while national data has again come in below expectations, signalling a likely continuation of loose monetary policy.
Oil prices have risen as the market shifts focus to the possibility of increased Chinese demand, drawing attention away from oversupply worries and trade tensions between China and the United States.
US stock indexes have climbed and the Nasdaq hit a new record high as Google-parent Alphabet's strong quarterly results reaffirmed expectations of a robust earnings season and sparked a rally among technology shares.
One of the nation’s most respected economists reckons the tide may have turned for the WA economy, but falling metals prices and a global trade war could render that view obsolete.
Oil prices have edged lower as the focus turned to oversupply worries, moving away from escalating tensions between the US and Iran, which had driven prices higher early in the session.
US stock indexes have dipped led by losses in shares of Amazon and technology companies, as investors awaited quarterly reports from a host of marquee names to gauge the impact of an escalating trade conflict between the US and China.
Gold prices rose from one-year lows and spot platinum increased more than three per cent after US President Donald Trump criticised the strength of the dollar and interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, pushing the greenback sharply lower.
US stocks have closed slightly lower as escalating trade anxieties driven by US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats against China offset a string of robust earnings led by Microsoft.
Oil prices rose at the end of last week as a weakening dollar and lower expected August crude exports from Saudi Arabia supported the market, offsetting concerns about US-China trade tensions and supply increases.
Australian shares have ended the week higher thanks to gains in financials and energy stocks, even as Friday's session was buffeted by an earlier slide in the Chinese yuan and concerns over escalating global trade tensions.
Global benchmark Brent crude dipped on Thursday as concerns about mounting supply returned after a brief rally earlier in the session on comments that Saudi Arabia's exports would fall in August.
Gold prices sank to a one-year low on Thursday as the US dollar rose after comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell that reaffirmed expectations more US interest rate increases are on the way this year.
US stock indexes are trading lower as a batch of weak quarterly reports dampened a robust earnings season and trade tensions rose on news the European Union may retaliate if the US slaps tariffs on EU cars.
After reaching a 16-year high in March, Western Australia’s unemployment rate has enjoyed its third straight month of decline, with nearly 3,000 jobs added across the state in June.
Lithium advocates have been cautioned to separate facts from hype as it is not yet clear if battery manufacturing in Western Australia will be practical, although refining plans should proceed immediately, according to Mckinsey & Co partner Prabhav Sharma.
Lower company tax rates and changes to power pricing are among possible moves that would support the state’s economic development, according to local academic Peter Hartley.
Gold prices have steadied as the US dollar eased off a three-week high, following an earlier drop in bullion to a one-year low as bullish comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell boosted the greenback.
Oil prices rose on Wednesday after US government data indicated bullish demand for gasoline and distillates, which overshadowed a surprise build in US crude inventories and US crude oil production hitting 11 million bpd for the first time.
