The Australian share market looks set to open around half a per cent higher with Wall Street offering a positive lead despite some of its earlier strong gains ebbing closer to the close.
Oil prices are little changed ahead of data expected to show rising crude inventories in the United States and as the dollar has strengthened from last week's three-year lows.
Gold has dipped further, a day after its biggest daily slide in two-and-a-half months, but briefly bounced higher as the US dollar slipped for a short time after the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's January policy meeting.
Clamping down on the governance of state-owned enterprises such as Synergy is just one major promise the McGowan government has made in response to the Langoulant special inquiry into government projects in the Barnett era, released yesterday.
The Australian share market inched higher as well received financial results from Wesfarmers and a2 Milk were countered by steep falls by heavyweight miners.
Woolworths' liquor arm has resigned from the Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia, following the association's support for state government plans to restrict the growth of large liquor stores, such as Dan Murphy's and First Choice.
WA Super has finalised its merger with fellow local superannuation fund Concept One, with the pair combining to form a $3.4 billion fund with more than 60,000 members.
Perth-based tech company Universal Biosecurity is aiming to raise $5 million through an initial public offer to fund a two-year research and development program.
The property sector has been given its first taste of the latest changes to the state's planning systems, with experienced town planner and urban designer Evan Jones revealing his initial ideas at a recent Urban Development Institute of Australia event.
Downer EDI has posted an $11.1 million first-half loss, dragged down by a goodwill impairment on its mining operations, write-downs from its freight rail divestment and redundancy costs from its recently acquired Spotless.
Local tech firm Nuheara has posted positive half-year results, with significant growth in revenue and its gross profit margin as the company continues to expand internationally.
Seven Group Holdings has lodged a big increase in earnings for the half-year, as improvements in the mining industry aided the strong performance of WesTrac.
Fortescue Metals' half-year profit has dropped 44 per cent as the miner offered wider discounts on its lower-grade product, but the result still came in ahead of market expectations.
After selling its Southern Cross gold operation last year, Chinese-owned Hanking Gold Mining has made a takeover proposal for Primary Gold worth $37.5 million.
Wesfarmers' first-half profit has plummeted 86 per cent to $212 million on the back of more than $1.3 billion in impairments against its UK hardware business and Target department stores.
Australian shares are marginally lower in early trade as investors take cues from a decline on Wall Street and local corporate earnings weigh on sentiment.
Boutique property player LKD Development Group has taken the next step in delivering its latest project, appointing Jaxon to commence construction of its nine-storey residential development on Tully Road in East Perth next month.
US crude has risen to a near two-week high on signs of inventory declines at a key storage hub, while Brent eased under pressure from a stronger dollar.
Gold prices have been pressured by a stronger US dollar and rising interest rates, dropping for a third session, but were underpinned by political worries and uncertainty about this week's huge US bond auctions.
Australian shares have ended the day flat with a no-surprises line-up of company profit results failing to fire investor action in the absence of major overseas leads.
Mining contractor NRW Holdings has recorded strong growth in underlying earnings for the half year, but has decided against paying a dividend to ensure debt is fully serviced.
A review of Barnett government programs and projects has identified a raft of shortcomings in governance, project management and financial management, and listed Royalties for Regions as the single biggest problem.
Master Builders Association WA executive director Michael Mclean has announced plans to retire at the end of this year while former Perth business director Suzanne Ardagh has been appointed to lead Lester Blades' board advisory service.
BHP Billiton has increased the expected cost of its South Flank iron ore project to $US3.6 billion ($A4.6 billion), substantially above the estimated range it provided in June 2017 when initial funding was approved.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Party leader Barnaby Joyce's position has been further weakened today after the Western Australian branch of his party called for his resignation.
Aspiring gold miner KIN Mining is still on the hunt for a new managing director after the resignation of Don Harper last week, with the company announcing a board restructure that will include an independent chairperson.
