The Australian share market has surged in its final half-hour of trading to close in positive territory despite some major companies going ex-dividend.
Tourism Council WA has put a damper on Tourism Minister Paul Papalia's positive take on new data showing a record number of jobs in the sector, pointing out that growth in tourism jobs in WA was the lowest of any state or territory.
Edith Cowan University's Rob Newton and Curtin University's Phil Bland were named joint winners of the scientist of the year award at last night's Premier's Science Awards.
Oil prices overnight jumped by the most so far this year after the United States government said it would delay imposing a 10 per cent tariff on certain Chinese products, easing concerns over a global trade conflict that has pummelled markets in recent months.
Gold fell as much as 2.0 per cent in a reversal from six-year highs overnight after the United States government said it would delay tariffs on some Chinese products and on news that both sides agreed to continue trade talks.
Oil prices were little changed overnight as expectations that major producers would continue to reduce global supplies ran into worries about sluggish growth in crude demand due to the US-China trade conflict.
Gold prices rose overnight and stayed above the key $US1,500 per ounce psychological level as stock markets slipped on concerns about global economic growth and the US-China trade dispute, triggering safe haven bids.
The Australian share market has finished up slightly, with a lifting in healthcare and consumer discretionary shares outweighing losses for the mining sector.
Oil prices rose more than $US1 a barrel on Friday, supported by a drop in European inventories and OPEC output cuts despite the International Energy Agency reporting demand growth at its lowest since the financial crisis of 2008.
Gold prices steadied on Friday, on course for their best week in over three years, as interest rate cut-inclined central banks, escalating US-China trade tensions and negative debt yields around the globe kept prices close to $US1,500 per ounce.
Oil jumped more than two per cent overnight on expectations that falling prices could lead to production cuts, coupled with a steadying of the yuan currency after a week of turmoil spurred by an escalation in US-China trade tensions.
Gold edged down overnight as stock markets recovered, the US dollar strengthened and traders locked in profits after bullion surged past $US1,500 to a more than six-year high in the previous session.
Oil prices tumbled nearly five per cent overnight after an unexpected build in US crude stockpiles and on fears of slowing demand but halved their losses in post-settlement trade on talk that Saudi Arabia was mulling options to halt crude's descent.
Gold soared more than two per cent overnight to breach the $US1,500 ceiling for the first time in more than six years as investors rushed to safe havens, spooked by a host of uncertainties including US-China trade and a slowing global economy.
The attributes needed to build a good working relationship are the same in school settings as they are in business, says Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney.
