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Morrison green lights $4.6b in schools funding

Trade-sensitive industrial stocks have led the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record closing high, the last of Wall Street's main indexes to fully regain ground since a correction that began in January.

Oil prices eased, pulling back after US President Donald Trump urged OPEC to increase production at its meeting in Algeria, and slowing bullish momentum that had previously propelled the market toward four-year highs.

Gold edged up to hit its highest in nearly a week as the US dollar slumped, its safe-haven appeal lessened by reduced fears over the near-term impact of Sino-US trade tensions.

The state government appears to be continuing to back away from plans to introduce increased competition in electricity retailing, with Economics and Industry Committee chair Jessica Shaw saying she’d like to see more evidence it would reduce prices.

Electricity retailer Synergy hit an after-tax profit of $24.3 million in the year to June, an improvement of $36 million, aided by about $140 million of state government subsidies, while increased uptake of household solar continues to put pressure on revenue.

The Property Council of Australia has welcomed proposed laws governing apartment projects in entertainment precincts, but has expressed caution about where the policy applies and its impact on planning approvals.

Western Australia’s population increased by just 0.8 per cent in the year to March, continuing its recent trend of soft growth, while nationally population growth slumped to a two-year low, new data out today shows.

Opinion: The improvement in quality of life and opportunity for all but a few over recent decades shows the true progress towards a more inclusive society.

Iron ore mine’s bailout ‘cost taxpayers $250m’

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrials Average have risen as bank stocks gained on rising Treasury yields, while a drop in Microsoft pressured the Nasdaq.

US oil futures surged nearly two per cent as they were bolstered by a fifth weekly crude inventory drawdown and strong domestic petrol demand amid ongoing global supply concerns over US sanctions on Iran that come into force in November.

Gold rose as the US dollar weakened, indicating investors are starting to worry about the impact of the US-China trade war on the US economy, luring some buyers back into precious metals investments.

Moves are under way in Western Australia to ban online lottery betting organisations, with the state government saying it will protect Lotterywest and minimise harm to at-risk gamblers.

Market fears for the outcome of the escalating tariff war between the world’s two biggest economies have heightened during the past week, with history showing what could be a significant impact on consumers, and employment.

Australia to lose from trade battle

Wall Street has rebounded in a broad-based rally as investors brushed aside intensifying trade rhetoric between the United States and China.

Oil futures rose more than one per cent on signs that OPEC would not be prepared to raise output to address shrinking supplies from Iran, and as Saudi Arabia signaled an informal target near current levels.

Gold prices turned negative as the US dollar strengthened following news that China would retaliate against a new round of tariffs on its goods.

Aged care stocks take a battering

US stocks have fallen, led by declines in technology and consumer discretionary stocks as investors looked to President Donald Trump's announcement regarding tariffs on $US200 billion of Chinese imports.

Oil prices were little changed as the market weighed deepening trade tension between the US and China that is expected to dent global crude demand and potential supply tightening due to Iran sanctions.

A softer dollar and short-covering has lifted gold after two sessions of declines, but investors braced for more US-China trade tensions, with some buying bullion as a safe haven.

Aged care probe to be ‘bruising’

Gold turned negative as the US dollar rose against the Chinese yuan after US President Donald Trump reportedly told aides to proceed with tariffs on Chinese imports.

Oil prices pulled back on concerns additional US tariffs would be placed on Chinese imports, after an earlier rally triggered by worries that more sanctions on Iran might constrict supply.

US stocks have ended little changed as financials rose with bond yields, while news that President Donald Trump instructed aides to proceed with tariffs on about $US200 billion of Chinese products limited gains.

Six female prison officers, who either quit or were sacked from Acacia Prison in Wooroloo WA for having "inappropriate relationships" with inmates, have been referred to the Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission.

Court puts cloud over Kidman’s lithium mine

US stocks have risen as Apple led a rebound in technology shares and as trade worries eased after China said it was open to fresh talks with the United States.

Oil prices have fallen more than two per cent, with Brent slipping back from four-month highs as investors focused on the risk that emerging market crises and trade disputes could dent demand even as supply tightens.

Western Australia’s unemployment was steady in August at 6.2 per cent in trend terms, despite a small rise in the number of people employed, although the level was much lower for women than men.