Latest Headlines

Recent improvements in business conditions seem to have hit a snag as a lack of employment growth weighs on consumer confidence.

The tide appears to be turning for the travel and tourism sector, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlighting a growth trend in the number of short-term visitors compared to resident departures.

A whole-of-government approach to investing in WA's ‘creative wealth' should be part of the plan to diversify the state's economy.

SPECIAL REPORT: As the junior resources sector slows, so do the earnings of companies most exposed to the sector – exploration drilling and mining services firms.

SPECIAL REPORT: Tight debt and equity environments have led many junior mining and exploration firms to seek alternative arrangements to finance their operations.

SPECIAL REPORT: Poor investor sentiment and low confidence have put a crunch on capital for WA's junior miners.

The Australian share market has opened lower in the wake of disappointing Chinese trade data and escalating concern over Ukraine.

A federal Liberal MP who called Tony Abbott a liar over the government's refusal to support food processor SPC Ardmona says the company's $70 million deal with Woolworths is a win for people power.

US stocks have slipped as weak economic data from China and Japan raised questions about the growth outlook in Asia.

Global oil prices have fallen as weak Chinese trade data stokes concerns over demand in the world's second largest economy.

The Australian dollar has lost ground as tensions about the Ukraine crisis and concerns about the Chinese economy weigh on market sentiment.

Parts of the East Perth skyline will start to rival the height of the central city after Finbar Group secured planning approval for what will be Perth's tallest apartment tower.

Struggling miner Atlantic has secured $29.7 million in debt funding from its major shareholder Droxford International and negotiated a standstill arrangement with the majority of its noteholders.

Junior explorer Heron Resources has announced a $15 million plan to merge with NSW-based exploration firm TriAusMin.

Litigation funder Bentham IMF has announced a conditional settlement of its claims against collapsed investment manager Great Southern.

Mermaid Marine Australia has won a contract, worth up to $500 million, to provide support services to Inpex's Ichthys liquefied natural gas project.

Azure Capital's return to management consulting is an exercise in post-boom diversification.

Steep falls among Australia's biggest miners have pushed the sharemarket lower after weak Chinese trade data lead to a fall in commodity prices.

Uranium explorer Peninsula Energy has raised $5 million in a share placement to asset manager JP Morgan.

Northern Star Resources is planning one more acquisition after two recent purchases and an “aggressive” strategy made it Australia's fifth largest ASX-listed gold producer.

Kresta Holdings chief executive Jules Di Bartolomeo has left the company following a restructure under which the chairman of one of its major shareholders will be appointed as managing director.

Chevron Australia and the state government have signed a landmark deal to boost residential development in Onslow, near Chevron's $29 billion Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project.

Premier Colin Barnett will be forced to undertake another cabinet reshuffle in the lead up to May's state budget after the resignation of Treasurer and Transport Minister Troy Buswell.

Germany's Hochtief has moved to boost its stake in construction giant Leighton Holdings and shake up the company's board.

The Australian share market has opened lower in the wake of disappointing Chinese trade data and escalating concern over Ukraine.

Wall Street stocks have finished mixed as a better-than-expected US jobs report helped offset anxiety over Ukraine that sent European equities lower.

The production phase of the resources boom is likely to put upward pressure on the dollar and therefore the manufacturing sector.

Gold and silver futures have dropped as investors come to grips with the prospect of continued stimulus reduction by the Federal Reserve in the wake of better-than-expected US employment data.

The Australian dollar is lower as more worries about tensions between Russia and Ukraine overshadow positive US economic data.

Mining and engineering contractors were the biggest losers today when the S&P Dow Jones rebalanced all of its Australian indices, with RCR Tomlinson one of the few to buck the trend.