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Gold has slipped, under pressure from a firmer US dollar and worries about rising global interest rates, but still found some support as a safe-haven asset as world stock markets fell.

Oil prices have slid more than three per cent on Friday as US futures fell below $US60 a barrel for the first time since December on renewed concerns about rising crude supplies.

The Australian dollar has regained some lost ground against the US dollar which itself has preserved its recent gains.

Wesfarmers, Woodside Petroleum and South32 were among Australian shares that closed lower in the wake of another overnight collapse on Wall Street but local losses were relatively contained as many Asian markets tumbled steeply.

Working under strong, effective leaders has had a profound impact on the career of AICD state manager, WA Jody Nunn.

Australian shares have again slid in early trade following a fresh plunge on Wall Street overnight, while the Aussie dollar has retreated below the 78 US cents level.

Thrills and spills for Power Ledger

The Australian share market turned around a weak start to the day as bargain hunters bought stocks beaten up in Monday and Tuesday's plunge.

Thousands of Western Australian scam victims could be refunded millions of dollars after US legal authorities issued Western Union a $US586 million ($750 million) penalty for aiding fraud over a 13-year period.

Australian shares have fallen after US stocks came under late pressure on Wall St during another rollercoaster - though less brutal - session.

Premier to pitch for more US ships

Australian shares have clawed back about $17 billion as markets recover from the impact of a big sell-off on Wall Street.

Premier Investments is acting on threats to oust the board of Myer with a request for the department store chain's shareholder register in a first step towards holding a vote to install new directors.

CIMIC Group's shares have soared after the construction giant raised its dividend by 13 cents on the back of a 21 per cent lift in full-year profit and forecast a rise in profit in the year ahead.

The blockchain is a powerful tool of trust and verification, writes Sam Birmingham.

The state government has announced the formation of a development committee to guide three key projects in Bunbury, with Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries president David Kerr and The Apprentice and Traineeship Company chief executive Stan Liaros among those selected for the committee.

Bankwest has recorded a $339 million net profit for the first half of the financial year, fuelled by solid income growth and flat expenses, along with lower loan impairments compared to 2016.

Australia shares are regaining ground after an overnight turnaround on Wall St stablilised three days of horror losses on global markets.

Investors try to hold their nerve

The Australian share market has suffered its biggest one-day fall in more than two years, wiping around 3.3 per cent from its value, after Monday night's plunge on Wall Street.

The state’s automotive industry got off to a positive start in 2018 with a rise in new vehicle sales for January, compared to last year, on the back of increased SUV and light commercial vehicle sales.

Western Australian small businesses are unhappy with the current state of the economy but are the most optimistic in the nation about its future, a survey has found.

Retail spending was more sluggish than expected in December, following a surprisingly strong lift in November.

Australia's trade balance fell into deficit for only the second time in 2017 in December due to a rise in imports.

Finbar Group will officially launch the first stage of its $342 million three-tower development at Canning Bridge in Applecross this weekend.

Consumer spending remains a concern for the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has again left the cash rate on hold at 1.5 per cent.

Marine services business Bhagwan Marine has opened its new head office on St Georges Terrace, after the company announced plans to shift from Geraldton in June last year.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers has announced his retirement after 30 years at the helm of the mining services company he founded.

The plunge in US stocks has infected Australian shares, with the local bourse opening sharply lower in a "bloodbath" after the Dow industrials hit its biggest one-day decline in history.

Building shutdown

Four contractors have been invited to submit proposals for the design and build of the $50 million Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive interchange, which is set to begin construction mid-year.

Australian shares have lost around $33 billion after a sharp fall in US markets last Friday sent local investors running for the exits on Monday.