Latest Headlines

Mining contractor Barminco says an initial public offering is off the agenda until at least 2014, as it aims to re-finance its debts over the current financial year.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings is poised for a capital raising as it battles to reverse a drop in earnings and tries to cut costs.

Property company GPT Group has made a bid for Australand's commercial and industrial and investment property portfolio.

Iron ore miner Atlas Iron says it has completed a $US275 million financing package to put it on track to produce 12 million tonnes per annum by December 2013.

BC Iron has announced it will acquire an additional 25 per cent interest in the Nullagine iron ore project from joint venture partner Fortescue Metals Group for at least $190 million.

Woodside Petroleum has reached another joint venture agreement to expand its exploration interests in Myanmar (Burma).

Weaker-than-expected housing loan figures suggest the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to cut the cash rate further in 2013.

Another mistake in acquiring land for Woodside's controversial Browse gas hub has made targeted timeframes "tight", Lands Minister Brendon Grylls concedes.

The Australian market has opened flat as trading volumes start to thin out heading into the festive season.

Shopping centre owner Centro Retail Australia is changing its name just 12 months after a massive company overhaul that kept the once debt-laden company afloat.

The coalition could lose a swag of marginal seats at next year's federal election as new electoral laws automatically enrol up to 1.5 million voters.

A surprise slide in the US unemployment rate to 7.7 per cent for November gave markets an initial boost on Friday, but shares ended the session mixed.

Perth-based mining company Talison Lithium has accepted a sweetened takeover proposal from China's Chengdu Tianqi Industry Group, which trumped a competing proposal from an international chemicals

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she wasn't willing to hand environmental approval powers to the states for fear it would create a "dalmatian dog" of legal risk and uncertainty for business.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has struck a deal with the state and territory leaders on a plan she says could save households $250 a year on their power bills.

The Australian dollar is slightly higher, enjoying support following a busy week of economic data releases, most of which were quite good.

Wolf Minerals' major shareholder Resource Capital Funds has agreed to provide a 12-month funding package worth up to US$82 million (A$79 million) to support continued work on the Hemerdon tungsten

The Australian market closed at a seven-week high, with across-the-board gains aided by strong overseas leads.

Labour productivity rose strongly in 2011/12, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart is believed to have given her last-minute support to the troubled Ten Network's $230 million capital raising.

Updated stockmarket indices announced today have highlighted the rising fortunes of telco iiNet and junior miner Papillon Resources, in sharp contrast to the falling value of uranium miner Paladin

Returning the federal budget to surplus this financial year should not be priority as it could further slow the economy, an economist says.

Suggestions Clive Palmer has transferred the registered address of his companies to Western Australia because of dissatisfaction with the Queensland government are overstated, the mining tycoon say

Lower commodity prices and the high value of the Australian dollar have seen Australia post its biggest trade deficit since 2008.

Confidence in Western Australia's economy among consumers has plunged to a record low but most households still expect to spend as much this Christmas as they did last year.

Myer has blamed economic conditions, the introduction of the carbon tax and a GST loophole on goods bought overseas for its weak performance.

Australian stocks have opened firmer amid broad-based gains with the big banks and miners all higher in early trade.

US stocks finished in positive territory on Thursday after circling the breakeven line for much of the session, with a mild rebound by volatile Apple buoying the Nasdaq for a 0.5 per cent gain.

Health minister Kim Hames has announced the terms of reference for an independent review into the Peel Health Campus and the state government's contract with hospital operator Health Solutions WA.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart is keeping the Ten Network guessing on whether she'll take part in the troubled broadcaster's $230 million capital raising.

The Australian dollar had a brief rally after the release of encouraging jobs figures, but negativity about the US budget situation prevented it from rising to 105 US cents.