Latest Headlines

US stocks have sunk and short-term bond yields jumped as the stalemate in Washington over passing a budget and raising the debt ceiling takes a deeper toll on financial markets.

Oil prices have edged higher as a US budget impasse continued and some production outages lingered in key Middle Eastern oil producers.

The search for growth industries beyond mining is a perennial topic of debate in Australia.

The City of Perth says Premier Colin Barnett is yet to meet with the council to discuss light rail route options, with key stakeholders in the CBD split on the best option for the proposed project.

The Australian Securities Exchange and cash-strapped junior exploration companies are hoping a new stock market tool will encourage investors to get more involved in capital raisings.

When bank deposit rates are less than 3 per cent it’s hard to resist the siren call of an investment opportunity being spruiked at 20 per cent, which is why investors are rushing into residential property – and why many of them will get badly burned.

The Australian share market has closed lower as the political impasse in the United States over the budget and debt ceiling continues to spook investors.

Toro Energy shares are higher after the uranium mine developer upgraded the quality of resources at its Wiluna project in Western Australia.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has achieved record gold production and sales for the September quarter.

South Perth-based Alcyone Resources has raised a further $4.9 million through a shortfall placement, bringing it closer to its $16 million target.

Engineering and construction contractor Monadelphous has won a $150 million contract extension for maintenance works at Chevron's Gorgon liquefied natural gas project, as well as construction work linked to the oil and gas giant's Wheatstone project and new work in Queensland.

New figures show that 12 per cent of homes sold in the three months ending June were sold for less than their purchase price, incurring a total loss of more than $500 million.

Job advertisements have risen for the first time in six months, a sign that the labour market is stabilising.

After welcoming Chinese investors to the Kimberley region, the Western Australian government is pitching the state's agribusiness opportunities to Vietnam and Thailand.

West Perth-based junior Avanco Resources has secured agreement for a $US12 million royalty-based investment deal with major resources investor BlackRock World Mining Trust.

Explosives and chemicals manufacturer Orica has appointed former Macmahon Holdings managing director Nick Bowen as executive global head, mining services.

A trial involving Gina Rinehart, her children and a multi-billion dollar family trust fund has been delayed for several hours as a new trustee is appointed.

Five "super growth" industries could boost the national economy by $250 billion over the next 20 years.

Diploma Group has commenced construction on a new $32 million, 86-apartment development in West Perth.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest will head up a federal government-initiated review into indigenous employment and training programs.

The Australian dollar is trading sideways amid growing concerns about the looming US debt ceiling deadline.

CHINA'S economy is perking up. The latest data suggest growth has bottomed after hitting a trough of 7.5 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of the year.

Gold prices have climbed as jitters over the continued US budget stalemate fanned interest in the haven asset.

US stocks have finished lower as a partial US government shutdown entered its second week with no sign of resolution.

Andrew Forrest’s philanthropic efforts are as restless as the iron ore magnate himself. Recent changes appear to be part of a restructuring of his various private and charitable interests under the new brand of Minderoo.

The house of review needs a review of its own, but getting bipartisan agreement on the best way forward will be difficult.

KBR is believed to have committed to office space in the third tower at Leighton Properties’ Kings Square project alongside one of its key clients, Shell.

Fortescue Metals Group will go to the WA Supreme Court to challenge the Economic Regulation Authority's decision to allow third-party access to FMG's Pilbara railway.

Commodity price falls have driven local stocks lower despite the release of positive jobs numbers.

Greens WA senator Scott Ludlam is expected to find out mid-week whether his bid for a recount of senate votes is successful.

The state government will team up with Woodside Petroleum and Curtin University to develop two new specialist training facilities in the Pilbara as it encourages more people to live and work in the region.

In the space of a year, Nicolle Jenkins has grown her agency, The Hub Marketing Communications, from seven staff to 10, written a book about mothers and daughters, joined two boards and lobbied for small business at the recent state and federal elections.