The Australian share market has closed at its highest level in six weeks, wrapping up April with a run of gains that has added 230 points to the benchmark index since March.
Wesfarmers has announced two leadership changes today, with Officeworks chief executive Mark Ward set to step down at the end of the year, while former New Zealand prime minister Bill English has been appointed to the board of the Perth-based conglomerate.
Gold miner Northern Star Resources has posted a steady quarterly result, with the company confident it will hit its 2018 output target of 600,000 ounces per annum.
An independent events company responsible for organising one of Fringe World Festival's major venues has allegedly failed to pay about $200,000 owed to performers as it prepares for voluntary administration.
MCS Services has been awarded a security services contract for seven major shopping centres across Western Australia, while also securing contracts at two smaller centres in Perth, with a total value of about $3 million.
New Century Resources has raised $40 million to complete the restart of its zinc mine in Queensland, while Vimy Resources and Geopacific Resources have tapped investors for $6 million and $10 million respectively.
Emeco Holdings has made its fifth big acquisition in the past three years, acquiring Queensland-based Matilda Equipment for $80 million while also announcing a $90 million capital raising to fund the purchase.
AMP chair Catherine Brenner has quit with immediate effect as the fallout widens from the fees-for-no-service scandal at the Financial Services Royal Commission.
Oil prices edged lower on Friday, although Brent still gained for a third straight week amid supply concerns should the United States reimpose sanctions on Iran.
Gold edged higher on Friday after the US dollar and US Treasury yields backed off highs, but the prospect of a Korean denuclearisation deal eroded bullion's safe-haven appeal.
The Australian share market has closed comfortably higher, following a lift in global sentiment as major financial stocks recovered from early losses to join all other sectors in positive territory.
Marine technology company VEEM has signed a contract with Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards to supply its newest stabilisation system, subject to successful sea trials.
West Perth-based Sandfire Resources has upgraded its mineral resource at the Degrussa copper mine, located 900 kilometres north-east of Perth, following a recent drilling program.
An ambitious water supply project in Western Australia's South West is set to proceed after gaining federal government backing, with Collie Water chairman Peter Fogarty saying he was well advanced in securing private investors to complete funding.
Two giant waste-to-energy projects planned for Kwinana and Rockingham could gain extra financial backing after the federal government unveiled a raft of policy initiatives to address problems flowing from China’s new restrictions on accepting foreign waste.
Marriott International has opened Perth’s first Westin Hotel at an official ceremony this morning, anchoring a new dining and leisure precinct set to revamp the area.
Aspiring gold miner KIN Mining has appointed former Syndicated Metals managing director Andrew Munckton as its new chief executive, after former leader Don Harper quit in February.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has today announced $3.2 billion of federal government funding for Western Australian infrastructure projects ahead of next month’s budget, however, there is still uncertainty around the timing of a number of those projects.
PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss $3bn federal infrastructure boost, Perth’s urban sprawl, Burrup gas projects, global LNG production, Westin Hotel opens and mining projects.
UPDATED: Perth company Ocean Guardian Holdings, which trades as Shark Shield, has launched a prospectus for a $5 million initial public offering as it seeks to grow a suite of ocean safety products
The Australian dollar is lower after the US dollar rallied following the European Central Bank meeting and the release of better than expected US employment data.
