Home loan approvals in Western Australia retreated for a third straight month in December after a reduction in government subsidies and interest rate rises dampened enthusiasm for mortages, economists say.
Shares in NRW Holdings fell as much as 21 per cent after the mining and civil services company forecast a lower net profit of $15 million for the first half of 2009/10.
Bankwest has returned to profitability, today posting a first-half cash profit of $64 million while its parent company, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, increased its cash profit by 54 per cent.
Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are believed to have finalised the seven member senior executive team that will run their iron ore joint venture in the Pilbara.
Shares in retailer JB Hi-Fi fell almost five per cent in morning trade despite reporting a 29 per cent increase in net profit for the first half of 2009/10 and announcing chief executive Richard Uechtritz will step down in July/August this year.
WA gold miner Ramelius Resources expects to report a $15 million net profit for the first half of 2009/10, a turnaround from the $1 million loss from the previous corresponding period.
Engineering and construction services company Forge Group says it has started the year with a strong order book as it upgrades its interim earnings forecast by 21 per cent against its previous projections.
Fortescue Metals Group says it will vigorously defend an appeal the corporate watchdog has lodged regarding a ruling that found in favour of the miner and its chief, Andrew Forrest.
Nickel miner Panoramic Resources is forecasting to be back in the black, today lifting its interim profit guidance to $20 million compared to the $8.6 million net loss it booked the previous year.
Shares in WA pub owner Compass Hotel Group slumped after it resumed trade following a near seven-month hiatus, as it revealed it had not secured a proposed recapitalisation plan.
Residential land in the South West region of the state is among the 10 most expensive regions across the country as land prices in Perth dipped 0.7 per cent in the September quarter, a new report shows.
Housing groups and mortgage brokers have been joined by the federal government in welcoming the central bank's decision to leave the official interest rate unchanged, the former saying it is an opportunity to see the effect of previous increases.
Cashed strapped mining hopeful Redbank Copper plans to re-start production at its mothballed namesake project in the Northern Territory in the second half of this year.
The North West Shelf Venture partners have today appointed former BHP Billiton Petroleum senior manager Phil Byrne as the president of its marketing agency.
Unions are this afternoon meeting with contractors Foster Wheeler and Worley Parsons to try and resolve an industrial dispute at the $12 billion Pluto gas project where half of the 3,200 workers went on strike last week.
Mermaid Marine Australia has been awarded a two-year contract by Woodside Energy to provide support services for the petroleum company's offshore platforms.
Ernst and Young has been appointed voluntary administrators to private English language school GEOS Perth and eight other affiliated companies, affecting a total of 2,300 students from a number of countries.
High profile accountant Domenic Martino will be joining Pan Asia Corporation as chairman once the company completes its acquisition of Innovation West.
A small portion of the striking workers at Woodside Petroleum's Pluto project have staged a protest at the operation's gates as the company prepares to sue the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and its assistant Joe McDonald.
More than 30 Western Australians were recognised for their outstanding services to the country at this year's Australia Day honours list, including High Court Chief Justice Robert French and one of the nation's fastest bowlers, Dennis Lillee.
Shares in India Resources have closed 30 per cent higher after the company signed a 30 year agreement, potentially valued at $500 million, to develop and operate a coal mine in India.
The state government has today lifted a ban on genetically modified canola, bringing Western Australia in line with other states, following successful commercial trials last year.
Woodside Petroleum's plan for a second gas processing train at its Pluto project has been bolstered by a gas find in the Greater Pluto area as up to 1,500 Pluto workers took to the streets of Karratha to protest against a "motelling" plan.
Mount Gibson Iron says its Koolan Island iron ore operation will be back to full capacity today after ex-Tropical Cyclone Magda fizzled out over the weekend.
Retail giants Woolworths and Wesfarmers, owners of Coles, may have to adjust their plans to buy out smaller rivals and develop new outlets after the federal government announced plans to toughen up market protection.
Miner Mount Gibson Iron has recorded a net profit of $39.3 million for the first half of the 2010 financial year while hitting new records in sales and mining.
Residential building activity is picking up as latest final figures for construction activity in the residential sector showed Western Australia lagging behind every other state and territory.
