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US stocks have fallen as trade concerns lingered and declines in Facebook and Nike shares weighed on Wall Street's major indexes, though data showing US manufacturing activity accelerated in August kept losses in check.

Oil prices were little changed as energy infrastructure on the US Gulf Coast braced for a hurricane, but gains were capped as a stronger dollar and report of rising stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma hub weighed.

Treasury secretary Phil Gaetjens has said policies to improve labour productivity would be critical if Australia was to continue its record run of growth, while hitting back at claims about growing inequality.

Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe says wages growth has finally "picked up a little" as the central bank left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent for the 25th month in a row.

For every winner there’s a loser, and so it will be the case if the $A continues its downward trajectory.

Retail spend stalls as house prices take hit

Oil prices have risen, supported by concerns that falling Iranian output will tighten markets once US sanctions bite from November, but gains were limited by higher supply from OPEC and the United States.

Gold prices eased slightly after the US dollar held near a one-week high on worries over an escalation in trade conflicts between the United States and other countries.

Savings savaged by bank squeeze

Oil prices have slipped, pressured by renewed concerns that a global trade war could dent energy demand, although impending US sanctions on Iran and falling Venezuelan output limited the decline.

The S&P 500 ended flat on Friday while the Dow edged down and the Nasdaq closed higher in light trading as Canada and the US concluded trade talks without resolution ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

Capex darkens RBA’s rosy outlook for the economy

US stocks have ended their four-day winning streak as risk reduction ahead of the long holiday weekend accelerated on growing trade anxieties.

Oil prices rose on Thursday to the highest in more than a month, extending gains on growing evidence of disruptions to crude supply from Iran and Venezuela and after a fall in US inventories.

The chief executive of a West Australian shire acted corruptly when he ensured his partner became the strategic planning manager and increased her salary by $24,000 over four years, a report has revealed.

Rates on the rise: Westpac takes first shot with interest hike

US stocks have extended their rally with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting record highs for the fourth straight session as technology companies pushed indexes higher and promising trade negotiations stoked investor sentiment.

Oil prices have risen more than one per cent, with Brent at its highest in seven weeks and US crude touching a three-week peak, supported by a drawdown in US crude and petrol stocks and reduced Iranian crude shipments as US sanctions deter buyers.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has ruled out running for the seat of Curtin if Julie Bishop decides to quit, saying the marginal seat of Pearce is his community.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has promised Western Australia a legislated floor in GST payments, saying Labor is on a unity ticket with the Coalition to deliver a fairer carve-up.

Warrington in $170m William Square exit

Oil prices have slipped as some investors take profits on recent strong gains, but losses were limited the day after a US-Mexico trade agreement eased worries about tensions between the two countries.

US stock indexes have risen, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indexes hitting fresh all-time highs, as a trade agreement between the United States and Mexico calmed fears of a global trade war.

The state government has shortlisted three consortiums to build and maintain 246 new railcars during the next decade, while choosing Bellevue as the preferred site for the associated manufacturing facility.

The state government has chosen Investec to advise on the partial privatisation of Landgate, a day after the agency's Victorian equivalent sold for $2.9 billion.

Outgoing Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed she will remain as the member for Curtin despite moving to the backbench following last week’s leadership spill.

Improving technology and increased use of big data could create significant value for Australia through integration with Asian economies, while business leaders need greater understanding of the market, according to consultancy VCI co-founder Graeme Stanway.

$9b LNG jobs bonanza

US stocks have posted strong gains, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting all-time highs, as news that the United States and Mexico were closing in on a trade deal added to optimism about the economy.

Oil prices have edged up, supported by a strengthening equities market and news that the United States and Mexico agreed to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The Victorian government has sealed a $2.86 billion deal to lease that state’s land registry for 40 years, giving an idea of how much Western Australia’s government may expect from a similar, but smaller, privatisation under way locally.

A former UWA Student Guild staff member who stole around $560,000 has been sentenced to a four year jail term, after Business News reported in 2014 he had left his role and that accounting firm BDO had been hired for a forensic audit.