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US stocks have finished lower after minutes from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting showed some policymakers sought an early hike in the Fed's benchmark interest rate.

Oil prices hit their highest levels so far this year on Wednesday on the back of US winter weather and more turmoil in oil exporters Venezuela, South Sudan and Nigeria.

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Embattled miner Atlantic is once again set to obtain extra funding from major shareholder Droxford International, which has proposed a new $32.6 million loan facility.

The Environmental Protection Authority has rejected a bid to rezone land in Port Hedland which LandCorp had earmarked for its proposed $152 million Spoilbank Marina development.

Northern Star Resources has been recognised for excellence in the resources sector, winning the fourth annual Craig Oliver award at the RIU Explorers Conference.

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The share market has closed slightly higher but gave away most of its earlier gains as investors took profits late in the session.

Royal Dutch Shell has reportedly sold its downstream assets in Australia, including petrol stations and its Geelong refinery.

Kingston International College will move its English language and vocational school to Highgate early next month, to a heritage-listed building it bought from apartment developer Finbar Group for $

Point of sale financing group ThinkSmart has returned to positive territory, posting a $2.3 million full-year net profit in 2013 after recording a loss in 2012.

Property investor and developer Aspen Group says it is likely to post a half-year loss of up to $72 million on the back of impairments on a number of its assets, including the Septimus Roe office tower in central Perth.

Steven Goh's social networking business mig33 has acquired an online music community as it seeks to add value while progressing an ASX listing.

Mount Gibson Iron has added to the run of strong half-year results from iron ore miners, more than doubling its net profit on the back of record sales. The market, however, marked down its shares after the company confirmed it would not pay interim dividends.

East coast engineering and contracting group Seymour Whyte Constructions is to enter the Western Australian market through the $41.2 million acquisition of privately owned business Rob Carr.

The Australian sharemarket has opened higher amid another round of corporate earnings results and strong international leads.

Oil and gas producer Woodside Petroleum has recorded a 41.4 per cent fall in full year net profit to $US1.75 billion ($A1.94 billion).

US stocks have closed mostly higher as investors weighed mixed company news and an unexpected slump in home builder confidence.

US oil prices have jumped to a four-month high due to the effects of a cold winter in the US and rising concerns about stability in some key oil exporters.

The Australian dollar has fallen but weak US economic data has stopped it from dropping too low.

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Perth-based gold companies Perseus Mining and Kingsrose Mining have strengthened their balance sheets after completing share placements worth a combined $40 million.

Panoramic Resources' share price rocketed higher today after the company reported drill results that it described as a “potential game changer” for its Savannah nickel project.

Apartment developer Baltinas Made has signed Resolute Constructions to build its $32 million Velo project on Aberdeen Street in Northbridge.

Coles managing director Ian McLeod is set to move to a senior role with parent company Wesfarmers after six years of overseeing massive growth in the supermarket chain.

Contractor Brierty has posted a 19 per cent half-year profit reduction as increased competition in the company's civil construction division squeezed its margins.

The Australian market closed slightly higher as gains from mining giant BHP Billiton's strong profit results were dragged down by a disappointing result from Coca-Cola Amatil.

If you want to know how good you are at business, ask your customers – and then honestly assess how much you can improve.

Seven Group Holdings chief executive Don Voelte has stepped down from his role as chairman of oil and gas junior Nexus Energy, saying the position was no longer appropriate as Seven Group eyes opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

Amcom Telecommunications has reported strong results from the first half of the financial year with underlying profit increasing 11 per cent.

The economy is showing signs of getting stronger and that means more interest rate cuts from the central bank are unlikely.

Macmahon Holdings has returned to profitability but warned that tough conditions for companies servicing the mining industry are unlikely to pass anytime soon.