Latest Headlines

Cash flow can be a make or break issue for many small businesses.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has officially opened its new corporate office in Naval Base, a move managing director Simon High says reflects the business’s growth and confidence in the yea

Trade exchange business Bartercard has taken control of its Western Australia franchise in the hope it can rekindle enthusiasm among members.

The Australian share market has closed almost flat, with a healthy quarterly earnings report from the Commonwealth Bank the highlight.

The City of Perth has launched a free wireless internet service in the central business district - but it comes a year after a local technology company did the same.

Shares in Subiaco-based explorer Resource and Investment have closed the day's trade higher after feasibility studies revealed low operating costs at its gold projects near Meekatharra.

Red Mountain Mining says it is keen to fast-track development at its Batangas gold project in the Philippines after encountering an exceptionally high-grade gold lode of about 1 ounce per tonne.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting is set to boost its stake in oil and gas explorer Sun Resources, agreeing to invest a further $2 million in the company in exchange for around 65 million shares.

Drilling contractor Swick Mining Services is planning to invest up to $6.5 million in a Swedish mineral analysis technology company as it looks to turn around its performance.

Education ministers from states yet to sign up to the Gonski school funding overhaul are meeting with federal minister Christopher Pyne to discuss the matter.

Forge Group has suspended its shares two days after calling a trading halt as it is still unable to determine the full extent of performance issues at two of its power station projects.

Engineering and maintenance firm Downer EDI says it will take some time for its rail business to adjust to the slowdown in the mining sector.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is on track to make another record full year profit, after recording earnings of $2.1 billion in the three months to the end of September.

Australian stocks have started the local session on the back foot, following weakness on international markets.

The benchmark US oil price has sunk to a five-month low as traders anticipate a key report will show US supplies are continuing to pile up.

US stocks have ended mostly lower as analysts pointed to the need for markets to absorb recent gains after a number of records in the past couple of weeks.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after its fall following the Reserve Bank's monetary policy statement expressing concern about the currency's high value.

A recent report on R&D spending in Australia sheds interesting light on the perennial debate over this country’s competitive future.

While not-for-profit directors are generally supportive of the federal national disability insurance scheme, there is concern that the policy does not consider the long-term impact of the intended changes.

Tighter federal and state budgets are going to make economic reform harder in the future, a report says.

Western Australia's International Centre of Radio Astronomy Research is amongst the global research institutions to secure detailed design work on the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project, though the lion's share of the pre-construction work is set to be conducted overseas.

Followers of Fortescue Metals Group and its mercurial chairman, Andrew Forrest, have been on a roller-coaster ride during the past five years; but if the current bout of optimism is well-founded, FMG could be heading back to its record price of $12 a share reached in 2008, and Mr Forrest heading for a $12 billion fortune.

Australian shares have delivered a strong finish on Melbourne Cup day, with the big miners leading the way.

A fourth consecutive month of growth in the market capitalisation of Western Australia's top 100 listed companies is a sign of renewed business confidence within the WA economy, according to market analysts.

Former federal police chief Mick Keelty has begun his investigation into 1,375 missing votes from the Western Australian Senate ballot.

Atrum Coal has completed an $18.5 million equity raising as it looks to accelerate development at its Groundhog anthracite project in Canada.

The ethical bar for ministers may now be set too high, Premier Colin Barnett says, after treasurer Troy Buswell came under pressure for helping to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

Mirabela Nickel's problems have taken a turn for the worse after one of its two customers flagged that it would seek to immediately exit a concentrate sales agreement on the basis of a force majeure, or unavoidable accident, at its nickel smelter.

Mining services group Ausdrill has warned shareholders it is battling weaker than expected market conditions, entering a trading halt as it prepares to release an update on its outlook for the 2014 financial year.

Australia's jobless rate is expected to drift higher, despite the recent pickup in economic data and improvement in consumer and business confidence.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a solid lead from the US and ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's monthly interest rate decision.

Panoramic Resources has made plans to raise $25.12 million through a placement and Share Purchase Plan to fast-track its nickel exploration at its Savannah and Lanfranchi projects.