Government

Global equity markets have cheered the decision by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, while the slump in oil prices resumed.

The Australian dollar is higher following a subdued market reaction to the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in almost 10 years.

Gold has held onto its gains, after the Federal Reserve raised US interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, as expected, making clear it was a tentative beginning to a "gradual" tightening cycle.

US stocks have rallied after the Federal Reserve announced it is raising its key policy rate for the first time in nearly a decade in a sign of confidence in the US economy.

An industry consortium led by members of the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries in WA has been selected as the preferred bidder for Market City, putting the state government a step closer to its first major asset sale.

The Australian share market has risen by more than 2 per cent, breaking a six-day losing streak as investors snapped up bargains.

The Australian share market is one per cent higher following strong gains on Wall Street overnight.

Qantas shares bumper profit with investors

Oil reversed early falls to snap a six-day slide as bargain hunters moved in after crude dropped to its lowest level since December 2008 in the prior session. The jump helped boost equities in both the United States and the Europe.

The Australian dollar has fallen, after the US dollar rallied, ending several days of losses.

US stocks have rallied broadly, led by energy and financial shares as crude oil prices rose and before Wednesday's interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve.

Gold prices have steadied following the previous day's one per cent slide ahead of a US Federal Reserve interest rate announcement.

Mining and technology don’t have to be in competition when it comes to capital, Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy said today, with the extractive industry in a prime position to export its knowledge in addition to hard commodities.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index has slipped to its lowest level for the year.

Growth forecasts have been cut and deficits are higher across the next four years in the federal government’s budget update released in Perth today, with Treasurer Scott Morrison touting a reduction in spending growth as revenue continues to plummet.

The Australian share market is higher in early trade, on the back of positive cues from Wall Street, but the S&P/ASX200 remains below the crucial 5,000 level.

Woolies and Qantas in loyalty rejig

The Australian dollar has firmed following a rebound in commodity prices overnight.

Global equity markets have swung between gains and losses, as volatile oil prices rebounded from multi-year lows while weakness in credit markets weighed on sentiment before an expected US interest rate rise.

Gold has fallen one per cent ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting this week, which is expected to announce the first interest rate rise in nearly a decade.

German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp is continuing to advance its case for the federal government’s upcoming submarine contract, worth around $20 billion, partnering with Civmec to build a small demonstration hull in Perth.

The federal government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, released last week, has been well received by Western Australia’s business community, despite mixed evidence that publicly funded incentives for research affect growth.

Former resources minister Ian Macfarlane, who has served in federal parliament since 1998, says he'll use the Christmas break to contemplate his future, after Queensland's Liberal National Party said today it wound not support his switch to the National Party in Canberra.

The Australian share market has fallen sharply to close below 5,000 points - an important psychological level - as mining and energy stocks took a beating on lower prices for iron ore and oil.

Perth conservationist Harry Butler has been praised for his work as a community educator and a partner with industry, after passing away on Friday following a lengthy illness.

Austal has won a $63 million contract to build two patrol boats for the Australian Department of Defence, with the terms of the deal signed with National Australia Bank including a buy-back clause.

The Australian share market has again slipped below the crucial 5,000-level in early trade on Monday, with mining and energy stocks inflicting the most damage.

Forrest’s shock and ore at big miners’ expansion

The Australian dollar has been weighed down by continued declines in commodity prices.

Gold prices have bounced, erasing earlier losses as the US dollar and US Treasury yields fell, but was still on track for a seventh weekly drop in eight as investors positioned themselves for a likely US rate rise.

The Department of Education is advising state schools against establishing new farmers’ markets on their grounds amid growing demand for the popular weekend attractions.

WA needs to get behind its early stage tech sector or risk losing 25 per cent of state GDP.