Latest Headlines

Australian stocks opened stronger after gains of almost 6 per cent on Wall Street overnight, leading to advances in the financial and resources sectors locally.

The unwinding of the commodity and mining investment boom will take the lustre out of the Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland economies over the next few years, according to Access Economics, as the nation's economic backdrop continues t

Westpac's plan to top SME lending; China slides into deflation; Labor braces for emissions fight; UBS tips $US2,500 an ounce for bullion; Turnbull, Costello face off on IR

Golden West Resources says it is not seriously considering iron ore offtake offers it has received from China, Korea and Japan as it waits to get "visibility" on port and rail infrastructure before pursuing an arrangement.

Coal baron Ken Talbot will increase his holding in Sundance Resources to 22 per cent after purchasing $5 million worth of shares in the iron ore explorer.

Miner Jabiru Metals has paid down $US15.5 million ($A24 million) of its bank debt after closing out part of its hedge book while its Jaguar copper and zinc mine achieves record monthly production.

Perth-based junior Iron Mountain Mining has proposed an off-market takeover for Terrain Minerals in a deal valued at nearly $2 million.

Principles designed to encourage greater consistency and transparency in non-statutory profit reporting have been released by the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors today.

Shares in Quickstep Holdings have jumped as it secures an agency deal to promote sales in the Middle East and a $10 million convertible loan agreement.

Western Australia has recorded one of the larger falls in the number of job advertisements in newspapers and on the internet in February, a survey has found.

Kalahari claims another Extract chairman scalp; Chinese buy more Fortescue; Gillard beefs up work umpire; Wong admits ETS deadline in doubt; Rio’s US mine exit to chip at debt

The state government says it is happy to facilitate discussions to help find an alternative site for Pankaj Oswal's $1.5 billion solar energy plant after it was reported the Indian billionaire has approached a South Australian council.

Kalahari Minerals has withdrawn legal proceedings against Extract Resources following a unanimous agreement to appoint a new chairman and the resignation of two directors.

Chinese steel maker Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group Company is set to increase its stake to 17.4 per cent in Fortescue Metals Group by subscribing for a further $87 million in shares.

Western Australian businesses borrowed $1.5 billion against their receivables in the December quarter, up over 15 per cent from the prior corresponding period.

Integrated Legal Holdings, a firm originating from Perth, has expanded its presence on the east coast after it reached a deal to acquire the legal business of Sydney-based mda lawyers.

Acceptance of Sinosteel Corporation's takeover offer for Midwest Corporation has kept Murchison Metals' net profit after tax in the black at $17.5 million.

The Brian Gilbertson-led Pallinghurst Resources and associated company Red Rock Resources is set to take control of Jupiter Mines, which holds several exploration tenements in Western Australia, following shareholder approval.

Navitas has formed a new partnership with software companies Oracle and Delexian to implement applications for its financial services platform across the entire group.

The takeover battle for Incremental Petroleum has closed with Texas-based suitor TransAtlantic Petroleum moving to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares.

Shares in uranium miner Paladin Energy have nudged higher after the Liberal National Party indicated it will allow uranium mining in Queensland.

Mirabela Nickel will need to raise less equity after securing a further $US40 million towards its $US150 million debt facility.

Rebounds in the retail and mining sectors have lead a 13 per cent increase in the Deloitte WA Index for the month of February, with the index up from $73 billion to $82.5 billion.

Tycoon pulls plug on $1.5bn solar project; China risk to iron ore royalties; Labor ready to deal on IR reforms; Lloyds bank gets second bailout; D-day for Jupiter as Gilbertson orbits

The viability of the state's beef processing industry is in doubt after a breakdown in talks between troubled red meat exporter, Harvey Beef, and its employees.

A proposal by the Greens political party to ban liquor industry sponsorship of local not-for-profit sporting and social clubs has been called "un-Australian" and completely unfounded.

Paladin Energy chairman Rick Crabb has sold shares in the company valued at just over $1.4 million to improve his "personal balance sheet".

The federal government's bid for the world-class Square Kilometre Array telescope to be located in the Mid West has changed in approach from competitive to collaborative.

The company behind a planned $3.5 billion urea plant near Collie hopes to secure financing from banks by early next year as it reveals a 25-year deal with coal supplier Griffin.

Some 17 Western Australian listed companies, ranging from carbon sequestrian firms to beer manufacturers, have been added to the All Ordinaries list as Standard & Poor's rebalances Australian stock indices.

Woodside Petroleum has reportedly signed an agreement with state-owned Korea Gas Corporation to invest in three exploration permits in the Browse Basin.

Australia's economic climate may have levelled off, with the first encouraging signs emerging from the small business sector, according to the Sensis Business Index released yesterday.