The S&P 500 has ended flat, losing gains late in the session as investors digested comments by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, who kept options open for more rate rises but also saw risks to the US economy.
Gold prices has stabilised below a seven-and-a-half-month high after US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that only "gradual" adjustments to monetary policy are likely and stressed that global headwinds could hurt US growth.
Global industrial products group Siemens has opened a $20 million service centre at Perth Airport, highlighting the growing competitive shift from the construction to the operational phase in Western Australia.
A new lobby group associated with influential players in the power industry has warned the state government it risks a voter backlash at the 2017 poll if proposed changes to the sector trigger higher prices to households.
Gold has turned higher but hovers beneath the previous session's seven-and-a-half-month high of $US1,200 an ounce, buoyed by risk aversion as equities remain volatile and the dollar extends losses.
Global oil supply fell by 0.2 million barrels per day in January, while falling demand growth and resilience of high cost suppliers could lead to continued downward pressure on prices, according to the International Energy Agency.
There is little immediate prospect of the state government expanding its current $5 billion asset sales program, despite Premier Colin Barnett seeming to flirt with the possibility this week.
The state government's asset sales program has taken a step forward today, with Gresham Advisory Partners appointed as lead adviser for the partial sale of Keystart's loan book.
The price of gold has jumped two per cent to a seven-and-a-half-month high, briefly nudging above the psychological level of $US1,200 an ounce, as sliding stock markets and worries over global economic growth prompt investors to seek safety.
Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded Western Australia's credit rating to Aa2, reflecting an ongoing deterioration in the state's finances and concern that the government will be unable to meet its own spending targets.
Young Western Australians are spending up to half the year looking for a job, with many blaming a slowdown in the economy and limited training opportunities.
Gold has risen to a three-month high in volatile trade, as a mixed US jobs report prompted investors to reassess the outlook for US interest rates in 2016, putting bullion on track for its strongest weekly performance in more than a year.
A jump in materials shares have helped US stocks eke out a second straight day of gains, though disappointing forecasts from retailers and anxiety ahead of Friday's jobs report limited the advance.
Gold has risen for a second day, hitting three-month highs as the US dollar continued to ease amid mounting doubts that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in 2016 due to global economic and financial headwinds.
Gold has hit three-month highs as a slower US services sector and sinking US dollar prompts investors to seek shelter in assets perceived as safer as future Fed rate hikes appeared less likely.
