Latest Headlines

Charter Hall Group and hospitality industry super fund Hostplus have acquired 54 pubs and liquor stores from ALH Group, including the Hyde Park Hotel and the Dunsborough Tavern among several from Western Australia, in a sale and lease-back deal worth more than $600 million.

The Australian dollar is higher on the back of surprisingly weak US employment figures.

Gold prices edged higher Friday after data showed the US economy created fewer jobs than expected in August, easing fears that the Federal Reserve may raise rates sooner than expected.

The S&P 500 has jumped to a fresh record after investors concluded that a disappointing August jobs report would discourage the US Federal Reserve from quickly raising interest rates.

Speculation is mounting that Apache Energy is set to spin-out its Western Australian assets into a separate entity, with Macquarie Capital Advisers appointed to act on its behalf.

Copper-gold explorer AusAmerican Mining is set to add an operating copper-lead-zinc mine and a major copper development project in the Republic of Congo to its portfolio of assets, with the transaction worth $US49 million.

This week, Mark Pownall and James Lush discuss Apache Gas, Troy Buswell, Matt Birney, the mining tax, Biotech and the Gold Miners feature.

A new survey has cast doubt on Joe Hockey's claim that workers will pocket the frozen increases to compulsory employer superannuation contributions.

The share market has closed lower for a third straight day as weaker iron ore prices weighed on the mining sector.

A committee for development in the north of Australia has recommended the Christmas Island Casino to be re-opened to diversify the island’s economy.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers has been discharged from the Supreme Court today after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on tax evasion charges against himself and former Barminco boss Peter Bartlett – for the second time.

Perth-based coal miner Ascot Resources has received commitments from global commodity trader Gunvor Group for a $5 million equity capital investment in its $11.2 million raising.

A town centre defining $65 million twin tower apartment and retail development is set to be approved at Cockburn Central.

Static home values are making residential real estate a tricky proposition for investors.

Investment banking group Azure Capital has added to the state’s small funds management sector by offering an Asian-focused hedge fund run by an experienced operator drawn to Perth for family reasons.

The federal government’s RET review has polarised opinion on the future of renewables in Australia.

Toronto-based design and engineering services provider WSP Global has bought Balfour Beatty’s New York-based professional services subsidiary, Parsons Brinkerhoff, for $1.45 billion.

Global law firm Squire Patton Boggs has grown its Perth corporate practice division with the addition of Simon Rear, who is moving from Allion Legal.

There’s no doubting the attractions of the Whitsundays, but a bout of bad weather can make for tough going in paradise.

Perth Internet provider iiNet has acquired a 60 per cent stake in New South Wales-based technology firm Tech2 Group for an undisclosed amount.

Former Rio Tinto chief operating officer Andrew Cole has been appointed the new head of gold and copper miner Oz Minerals.

Engineering and project services firm Clough has acquired Scotland-based engineering company Booth Welsh for $16 million.

The Singapore-based bidder for the Australand Property Group has fallen just short of securing 100 per cent of its takeover target.

The Australia stock market is lower after a further falls in iron ore prices offset positive sentiment surrounding European stimulus measures.

The Australian dollar has continued its rally on the back of positive retail sales and international trade figures.

US stocks have closed lower despite an early boost from the European Central Bank's move to further cut interest rates and launch an asset-purchase plan to beat back deflation pressures.

Oil prices have fallen amid volatile trading, as NATO chiefs met over the Ukraine crisis and the European Central Bank announced more rate cuts to boost the eurozone economy.

Gold prices rose on the European spot market Thursday, recovering from heavy headline-driven selling in the previous session.

Court action filed by both Santos and Apache is set to continue in the Western Australian Supreme Court over several disagreements relating to a joint venture of gas fields offshore in the Carnarvon basin.

Western Australia has "won the argument" about the GST revenue distribution but is yet to see any change, Premier Colin Barnett says.

The share market has closed lower as investors exercised caution ahead of key economic events overseas and cashed in on recent gains.

If Scotland votes for independence exactly two weeks from today, expect a revival in another part of the world that has had the occasional secession debate – Western Australia.