Gold prices have eased as the US dollar rose and stock markets climbed, but further losses were capped by concerns over slowing economic growth and prospects of a pause in US interest rate hikes.
Oil prices are about three per cent higher, supported by China's plan to introduce policies to stabilise a slowing economy, reversing the previous session's losses due to grim data in the world's second-largest economy.
US stocks have risen, as hopes of more stimulus for China's slowing economy and a jump in Netflix shares helped investors look past disappointing earnings from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo.
The Australian share market has closed the day higher, boosted by signs from China the country is considering fresh measures to stimulate stuttering growth.
Albany-based firm Wauters Enterprises has been awarded a $16 million contract for stage two of the city's affordable student accommodation development.
Wind and solar generation backed by storage are competitive with coal and gas, according to a recent report by the CSIRO, but that does not mean coal-fired generation will be out of the picture.
Western Australia’s revamped strata regulations have made it easier for property owners to sell together and realise a higher premium than if they sold individually, particularly in strategic locations.
BHP Group will be double-checking its advertising copy in future after publishing full-page advertisements that mistakenly claimed major international business CPB Contractors was based in Western Australia.
Ausdrill has announced its chief financial officer Theresa Mlikota will leave company within the next three months to undertake the same role at ASX-listed construction materials and lime producer Adelaide Brighton.
Menswear retailer Ed Harry, which employs 93 staff across 19 stores in Western Australia, has been placed in voluntary administration with an immediate clearance sale of merchandise coming into effect as creditors assess the business.
Wealth manager IOOF Holdings says its buyout of pension assets from ANZ Banking Group has been delayed by at least three months, as fallout from a damaging finance sector inquiry hits dealmaking.
Under-pressure retailer The Reject Shop says it expects half-year profit to match earlier guidance, but the firm circling for a takeover wants a clearer picture of the company's Christmas sales performance.
More than a third of Australian risk management experts believe legislative and regulatory changes are the biggest threat to local businesses this year, ahead of a federal election and growing economic protectionism overseas.
Navitas directors have recommended shareholders accept an increased $2.1 billion takeover proposal by a consortium that includes its founder and former chief executive, Rod Jones, who says the new ownership would boost the company's prospects .
Discounter Kmart will reduce its prices in an attempt to revive sales growth, which came to an abrupt halt in December after five years of uninterrupted gains.
Oil prices are down about one per cent, pressured by data showing weakening imports and exports in China that raised new worries about a global economic slowdown hurting crude demand.
Technology shares have pulled Wall Street lower after an unexpected drop in China's exports in December reignited worries of a slowdown in global economic growth.
Gold prices have risen as global stocks fell on data showing China exports unexpectedly fell, pointing to further weakening in the world's second-largest economy and prompting investors to seek safety in the precious metal.
Disappointing Chinese trade data has given Australia's mining and energy sectors a whack and kept the broader market flat after what promised to be a positive start to the week.
Rio Tinto has halted exports of iron ore to some of its customers, after a fire last Thursday engulfed parts of its Cape Lambert export facility, located 40 kilometres north of Karratha.
Property investors in Perth are facing a bleak outlook, according to new research, which showed a combination of oversupply of units and apartments, lending restrictions and low rental returns would result in 15 per cent negative growth over the next five years.
Processing plant problems at Altura Mining’s Pilgangoora lithium mine have slowed output ramp-up, with about 24,000 tonnes of lithium shipped so far from the 220,000tpa facility, nearly six months after production began.
Sheffield Resources has appointed global investment bank UBS as its corporate adviser to help assess potential investments by a strategic partner in the Thunderbird mineral sands project in the Kimberley.
Communicare, Save the Children and Centrecare have joined forces to deliver a new federal program for migrants and refugees to Western Australia called Settle In.
Wesfarmers is expected to make a profit of $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion from the November demerger of its Coles supermarket division, and $670 million to $680 million from the sale of its stake in the Bengalla coal mine.
Cougar Metals provides an update on the funding agreement with the Australian Special Opportunity Fund, LP, an entity managed by New York based, The Lind Partners, LLC (Together, Lind).
Australian shares are trading slightly higher but energy stocks continue to weigh at noon, while shares in Wesfarmers are in the red after the retail giant announced a weak Christmas for Kmart.
