Copper prices overnight hit their highest point since May as traders awaited the signing of a US-China Phase 1 trade deal and Chinese data that will show whether a pick-up in economic activity has been maintained.
Oil prices fell about 1 per cent overnight as Middle East tensions eased and investors turned their focus to lackluster seasonal demand following last week's bearish US report showing a large fuel stockbuilds.
Wembley has emerged as one of Perth's most in-demand suburbs, with time it takes to sell a home averaging just 39 days in 2019, the shortest period in the metropolitan area.
Workers at the DP World terminal at Fremantle Ports are striking today after negotiations between the company and union broke down over provisions to restrict automation and outsourcing in a draft bargaining agreement.
EcoGraf, formerly Kibaran Resources, has signed a letter of intent with GR Engineering Services for its proposed battery graphite facility in Kwinana, which is budgeted to cost just more than $100 million.
The federal government has announced a $50 million emergency fund to address the loss of wildlife during the nation's bushfire season, as more Australian businesses have pledged millions in combined donations.
Rio Tinto has awarded Perth-based engineering company Mondium with a $400 million contract for works at the Western Turner Syncline phase two mine, located in the Pilbara.
Oil fell below $US65 a barrel overnight in its first weekly loss since late November, erasing the week's risk premium added since a US drone strike killed a top Iranian general as investors focused on rising US inventories and other signs of ample supply.
Gold edged higher overnight, and was on track to post a weekly gain for fifth straight week, as fresh sanctions on Iran by the United States stoked uncertainty supporting demand for the bullion.
Woodside Petroleum is set to begin drilling for oil off the coast of Senegal, executing key contracts to begin the first phase of its $US4.2 billion ($6 billion) Sangomar project.
Toyota, Mazda and Suzuki are the latest manufacturers to voluntarily recall cars with the potentially deadly Takata NADI 5-AT airbags, and are offering to buy the vehicles back.
Andrew Young, the former director and founder of collapsed whitegoods distributor Kleenmaid, has been found guilty today on 19 charges involving fraud and insolvent trading.
PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss market jitters, corporate Australia's response to the bushfires, waste-to-energy projects, LNG production, Pluto expansion, a new Perth hotel development, and our special report on the aged care industry.
Tech company Elsight has received commitments to raise $2.9 million from a share placement to Hong Kong-based investors, with the proceeds being used to fast-track sales of its flagship communications platform.
Gerard Matera is helping turn positive sentiment around Aboriginal reconciliation in the business community into genuine change through indigenous-owned building company Marawar.
Virtual reality software firm Vection Technologies has signed a $500,000 deal to create modules for training students and dentists in dental procedures.
The Eyre Highway, the only sealed road linking South Australia and Western Australia, has reopened after it was closed for nearly two weeks due to bushfires.
November's Black Friday sales fueled a better-than-expected monthly retail turnover, but economists are wary of how much of the 0.9 per cent increase would previously have been spent during December.
The Australian share market has broken through its all-time high, with the health care and consumer staples sectors the best performers during morning trade.
