Gold has edged higher as uncertainty over US tax legislation weighed on the US dollar, while an analyst said bullion might face renewed headwinds early next year. Platinum rose 2 per cent as investors recovered short positions.
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Oil prices were mixed on Friday, lingering below two-year highs as the continuing outage of a North Sea pipeline gave support, while climbing US output and weak gasoline demand kept a lid on gains.
Gold prices clung to earlier gains and were poised for their first weekly gain in four weeks on Friday, withstanding pressure from strong equities markets on continued support from this week's interest rate rise by the Federal Reserve.
Former Premier Colin Barnett has called time on a nearly three decade parliamentary career, which included leading the Liberal Party to a surprise victory in 2008, and heading a government which increased social support spending and invested substantially in infrastructure.
Gold has dipped slightly, easing off a one-week high as the US dollar rebounded following strong US retail sales data, while palladium rose to its highest since February 2001.
Oil prices have risen almost one per cent after a pipeline outage in Britain continued to support prices despite data expecting a global crude surplus in the beginning of next year.
Western Australia's unemployment rate rose to 6.6 per cent in November despite 8,500 jobs being created, while the national unemployment rate has remained unchanged even though the economy added far more jobs than expected in November.
Gold prices have hovered near their lowest in nearly five months as investors awaited an expected US interest rate increase and clues from the US Federal Reserve on its plans for further rises next year.
The Australian dollar is almost half a US cent higher against the greenback which has weakened after the Federal Reserve raised its interest rate, as expected, but left its outlook unchanged.
Oil prices have slipped for a second straight day, as a slump in US crude stockpiles was offset by a larger-than-forecast rise in petrol inventories and as US crude output continued to grow to record highs.
Australia’s former Trade Commissioner to Mexico, Central America and the Carribean Chris Rodwell will take the reins of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA in February, as Deidre Willmott leaves the helm.
Oil prices have fallen sharply, as traders take profits after prices surged early to a two-year high on an unplanned closure of the pipeline that carries the largest North Sea crude oil grade.
Gold prices have retreated to a near five-month low as investors brace for a widely expected US interest rate increase this week and look for clues about further rises from the Federal Reserve.
Most chemicals used in hydraulic fracking are not harmful, while precautions can be taken to prevent problems from those substances which are, according to a CSIRO report released today.
Oil have risen, overcoming declines early in the session, after a North Sea pipeline shut for repairs and investors focused on commodities following an explosion in New York.
Gold has steadied below $US1,250 an ounce after its biggest weekly drop in more than six months as markets anticipated an interest rate risee from the US Federal Reserve this week.
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Western Australia’s economy is one year away from a return to normality, according to consultancy firm Deloitte Access Economics, with consumer confidence, exports and dwelling approvals data all pointing towards an upswing.
Gold prices prices hovered above a four-month low on Friday and were on track for their biggest weekly fall since May after progress on US tax reform fuelled optimism about the US economy and boosted the dollar.
Gold has fallen one per cent, hitting a four-month bottom below its recent trading range, as Wall Street stocks rose and the US dollar strengthened on optimism about passage of a US tax overhaul.
Oil prices have climbed more than 1 per cent on Thursday due to a threatened strike in Nigeria and as traders cover shorts after sharp losses the previous day brought on by an unexpectedly large rise in US stocks of refined fuels.
The state parliament has passed legislation today that seeks to guarantee Western Australian businesses a larger share of government contracts, after the auditor general found major flaws in the existing Buy Local policy in a report tabled earlier this week.
A big increase in manufacturing capacity could result from the production of tight and shale gas in Western Australia similar to that which occurred in the US state of Pennsylvania, according to Dennis Davin, secretary of that state’s department of economic development.
