Latest Headlines

National retail chain Baby Bunting has set its sights on Perth's competitive baby-wear sector after revealing plans to open its first two Western Australian stores before Christmas.

Nickel has become one of the analysts' least preferred commodity exposures as WA companies battle costs and tumbling share prices.

The dramatic growth in seaborne trade has made ports politically and commercially valuable.

Agricultural exports are tipped to rebound and lift farmers' incomes after they plumbed 10-year lows on the back of a dry spell.

Players have welcomed the implementation of the Knight review's recommendations but some fear it favours universities.

Western Australia's share of national exports has risen to 46 per cent and looks set to rise further.

FRUIT and dairy producer Harvey Fresh has topped the field in the state's annual industry and export awards.Harvey Fresh took out the Premier's award for excellence.

The Barnett government is living up to its promise to deliver more community infrastructure via public private partnerships, naming three short-listed consortiums to bid for a 350-bed prison develo

Western Australian companies reported the nation's highest growth in 457 visa recruitment over the past 12 months, according to KPMG's latest annual skilled migration survey.

Perth advertising agency 303 has merged with international firm Lowe in a deal giving the big partner 51 per cent of the firm.

Big serve

The Australian share market opened higher this morning as investors grow hopeful that measures to stem Europe's debt crisis are being finalised.

The Australian dollar rose after reports that France and Germany had agreed to boost Europe's rescue fund.

US stocks rallied Tuesday after a British newspaper reported that France and Germany were ready to sharply boost the eurozone's rescue fund in a bid to address the public debt crisis.

Australian shares closed sharply lower with local resources stocks hit hard, amid renewed pessimism over Europe's ability to manage its debt crisis.

Seven West Media has finalised a new $1.95 billion credit facility so it can steadily reduce debt.

The federal government's top finance bureaucrat has told a Senate hearing that a return to a budget surplus in 2012/13 remains the current plan.

Kerry Stokes probably doesn't need an extra $500 million, but if anybody else wants to triple their money it might be time to join him on the share register of Iron Ore Holdings (IOH).

The central bank says it may be prepared to cut the cash rate if inflation looks as if it is under control, against a backdrop of deteriorating domestic and global economic conditions.

The Australian share market opened almost 1.5 per cent lower, reversing yesterday's gains, after German officials dampened optimism over the European bailout plan.

The Australian dollar has fallen more than one US cent as comments from Berlin dampen expectations an upcoming European Union (EU) summit will solve the eurozone's debt crisis.

US equity markets sank Monday after a three-week rally after a meeting of G20 finance chiefs failed to boost confidence that a solution to the eurozone debt crisis is near.

The Australian dollar has hit a one month high after finance ministers from the world's wealthiest nations vowed to stop the European debt crisis from spreading.

Stocks in Pan Asia Corporation shot up today after the mining and exploration firm revealed a 115 per cent increase in resource reserves at its flagship coal project in Indonesia.

The Australian share market closed firmly in the black after a positive US lead, with materials and bank stocks leading the charge.

The booming energy and resources sector is ensuring Australia remains attractive to overseas investment, according to law firm Allen & Overy.

Australia's corporate and securities watchdog has given the green light for Chi-X Australia to start operating the country's second securities exchange market on October 31.

A pick-up in borrowing by businesses is emerging as an argument against a cut in interest rates at the next monetary policy meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Rio Tinto will sell 13 of its aluminium units including refineries and smelters as the world's second biggest miner seeks to streamline its Alcan business.

The Australian share market opened more than 1.5 per cent higher, led by the big miners and banks after gains on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar surged more than one US cent to a one-month high on optimism that world finance leaders were close to announcing a comprehensive plan to tackle Europe's sovereign debt crisis.

US stocks scored their third straight week of gains on Friday as anticipation of a fairly solid third-quarter earnings season trumped worries about Europe and weak economic growth.