Westpac Banking Corporation chief executive Gail Kelly says business credit demand is likely to pick up in the second half of fiscal 2011, and could rebound quite quickly.
Medical devices and technologies group bioMD has announced a friendly takeover bid for Allied Medical, an unlisted public company backed by Andrew Forrest and led by Ian Frazer.
Australand Property Group has forecast earnings to grow by at least five per cent in 2011 after returning to profitability in 2010 and says the outlook for residential, industrial and office sectors remains positive.
Embattled property developer Luke Saraceni has filed a writ in the Supreme Court to have KordaMentha removed as receivers for troubled $500 million office development Raine Square.
Atlas Iron has declared its off-market takeover offer for Giralia Resources unconditional and says it will accelerate payments to shareholders who accept the offer.
Less than 24 hours before the first West Australian parliamentary sitting day of the new year, Opposition Leader Eric Ripper has unveiled a reshuffle that affects more than half the shadow ministry.
Receivers for embattled office development Raine Square have seized another Saracen Properties asset in Subiaco, after the sale of Saracen's neighbouring property was settled last Thursday in deal worth around $67 million.
Northern Star Resources says it has acquired the 668,000 ounce Ashburton gold project from Sipa Resources in exchange for royalties on future production.
Western Australia's environmental watchdog says it is unlikely to support any further development on the Whicher Scarp, near Boyanup, after it knocked back Bemax Resources' proposal to develop a new mineral sands mine.
Earthmoving equipment supplier Emeco Holdings will book a $7.85 million pre-tax impairment charge on its Indonesian business, lowering earnings expectations for the company's first half.
Western Areas has announced a $56.5 million increase in its interim net profit, as the Western Australia-based nickel miner ramps up exploration to pre-GFC levels.
Leighton Holdings says it expects full year net profit to fall by more than 20 per cent in 2010/11, after reporting a 25 per cent drop in first half profit.
The founder of failed property investment group Westpoint, Norm Carey, was today found guilty of five charges of making false or misleading representations regarding a residential property development in Rivervale.
Enerji says it has reached its most significant milestone to date, with the completion of a power purchase agreement with Horizon Power to install its technology at the Carnarvon Power Station.
Investor dissatisfaction over what they say is an inadequate buyback proposal by Rio Tinto has led to the miner's shares losing ground on the London and Australian stock exchanges despite bumper profits.
Perth-based miner Perilya has given the green light for the development of the Potosi/Silver Peak zinc-lead-silver project, near Broken Hill in New South Wales.
The owner of the Toronto Stock Exchange, TMX Group, has bought a 50 per cent interest in MinesOnline, a West Australia-based company that connects buyers and sellers of mining assets and projects around the world.
Premier Colin Barnett says there are "grave risks" in pursuing new laws to ensure local firms gain work from major projects, after the steel industry and unions launched a campaign to keep resources fabrication and manufacturing jobs in Western Australia.
Interest rates are not excessively restrictive but Australians are becoming more cautious about their funds, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says.
Residential developer Aspen Group has backed off on its claim that its board of directors were unanimous that it was not in the company's best interests for dumped co-founder Angelo Del Borello to return.
Australia's biggest gold miner, Newcrest Mining, has more than doubled its first half net profit due to record gold production and higher commodity prices.
Telstra Corporation's push to win back market share has led to a steeper than expected fall in first-half net profit, even though it netted more than one million new customers.
Perth-based software developer ISS Group says it will consider paying an interim dividend, after reporting a significant lift in profit in the December quarter.
Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust says it will target acquisitions for growth after it reported a $26.4 million interim profit, up 4.5 per cent on the previous corresponding period.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will get a national agreement on health and hospital reforms if she can separate the GST from the deal, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.
