Austal disclosed today that the corporate regulator is investigating announcements in late 2015 and mid 2016 that triggered a sharp fall in the ship builder's share price.
Chief executive salaries in WA are continuing to ratchet down, and companies are seeking more flexibility, a study of nearly 30 new appointments this year has found.
Local shipbuilder Austal has received an order from the US Navy for construction of an 11th littoral combat ship, with the deal worth up to $US564 million ($A735 million).
Austal has doubled its interim dividend after growing revenue and boosting its cash flow, despite posting a 41.8 per cent fall in profit for the six months to December.
SPECIAL REPORT: One of the few positives in a tough year for business was the gold sector, and at the forefront was Northern Star Resources, under the leadership of Bill Beament.
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.
Shares in shipbuilder Austal plummeted 25 per cent today on news that problems at its US operations could shave up to 2 per cent off its profit margin there.
The Australian Submarine Corporation should be privatised, while Australian workers have the capability to produce defence projects locally, Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy said today.
The founder and non-executive chairman of Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has sold down a portion of his shareholding in the company for $7.24 million.
Shipbuilder Austal has reported a 208 per cent rise in profit to $28.9 million for the six months to December and declared its first dividend since 2011.
Ship builder Austal has won a joint contract of up to $100 million with General Dynamics for provision of modernisation services to the US Navy's Freedom and Independence class littoral combat ships.
Shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract to design and construct two high-speed catamaran ferries for a Middle Eastern oil and gas company in a deal valued at $30 million.
FEATURE: It has been a difficult year for many of WA's listed entities, but investors are backing the performance of most of the state's top executives.
Austal has agreed to sell its former satellite service base at Henderson to AME Offshore Solutions for $21 million, with the proceeds being used to reduce debt.
Ship builder and defence contractor Austal has upgraded its after-tax profit guidance for the 2012-2013 financial year to between $35 million and $40 million.
Henderson ship builder Austal has named Andrew Bellamy as its new CEO, moving him up the ranks from chief operating officer of the Australian business to the fill the void left by Bob Browning.
