Oil futures edged up overnight after falling for five days, gaining support from a rebound in Wall Street stocks and talk that OPEC and its allies might tighten the market amid fears the coronavirus could weigh on oil demand.
Gold fell overnight as equity markets rebounded following positive US economic data while the dollar scaled a near two-month peak ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting.
The late Eric Lumsden, Jahna Cedar and Christine Simpson Stokes are among 76 prominent Western Australians to be awarded Australia Day honours this year.
The state government has approved an application by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation to build accommodation at Millstream Chichester National Park, with the company to develop glamping tents, caravan sites and a new restaurant at the park.
US stocks have suffered their worst day in over three months as China extended the Lunar New Year holiday due to a virus outbreak, fuelling worries about the economic impact of containment efforts in the world's second largest economy.
Crude prices dropped 2 per cent to three-month lows overnight as the death toll from China's coronavirus grew, clamping down on travel and fueling expectations of slowing oil demand.
Gold climbed to a near three-week high overnight as mounting concerns over the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak sent investors scurrying for safe havens.
Curtin University has received a $580,000 federal grant to undertake research and development of new methods for storing, producing and exporting green hydrogen.
Lynas Corporation posted a 7.4 per cent rise in quarterly revenue as higher demand for rare earth elements countered weaker prices and the miner said it was on track to get its processing licence renewed by Malaysia in March.
Oil prices fell 2 per cent overnight on concern the spread of a virus from China could lower fuel demand if it stunts economic growth, but losses were limited by a drawdown in US crude inventories.
Gold rose overnight as scaling concerns over a coronavirus outbreak in China and its impact on global economy soured sentiments for riskier assets, propping up demand for the safe-haven asset.
Australian stocks have fallen for just the fourth time in 2020 after days of record highs amid profit warnings and concerns about the deadly virus outbreak in China.
The number of people working full time in Western Australia fell over December, but the state’s jobless rate improved by 0.3 percentage points to 5.4 per cent, according to latest employment figures.
Shares in national contracting groups CIMIC and Downer have plummeted more than 20 per cent after the companies reported significant write-downs and higher costs respectively.
The state government today announced the investment of $2.7 million to secure a Caterpillar autonomous training facility in Collie, the first such facility in the Southern Hemisphere.
Westpac has named "battle-hardened" banking veteran John McFarlane as its next chairman to help it recover from the fallout of a massive money laundering and child exploitation scandal.
Australian stocks were down across the board at noon after days of record highs amid profit warnings and concerns about the deadly virus outbreak in China.
Oil prices fell about 2 per cent overnight as a market surplus forecast by the International Energy Agency and demand worries amid the outbreak of a virus in China outweighed concern over disruptions to Libya's crude output.
Gold eased slightly overnight as risk sentiment recovered and the dollar held firm, but expectations of dovish monetary policy from global central banks capped bullion's losses and kept prices above the $US1,550 an ounce level.
The Australian share market has smashed through the 7,100 mark, resuming its record-breaking trajectory as some traders were apparently caught in a short squeeze.
Water Corporation chairman Mike Hollett has tendered his resignation, citing business and family interests, just two months after being reappointed to the role. Deputy chair David Lock will act in the role until a permanent chair is appointed.
