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There was a slight dip in the number of Western Australian businesses entering administration in January compared to the same month in 2016, according to the latest data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The Australian dollar is down sharply against its US counterpart as expectations of a lift in US interest rates supports the greenback.

Oil prices are little changed, as growing US production expectations offset earlier gains after Saudi Arabia's oil minister said market fundamentals were improving.

Gold has hit its lowest level in more than four weeks as the US dollar strengthens and expectations for a US interest rate rise this month weigh, though moves were muted ahead of US payroll data this week.

Lithium Australia’s $23.8 million takeover bid for rival Lepidico appears to be heading for rejection, with the target company not confident about the operational methods of Lithium’s core asset.

Western Australia's environment minister says there is no justification to stop work on the Roe 8 project, despite a Senate inquiry saying the Commonwealth should suspend approval for it.

The Barnett government has seized on comments by Australia's competition chief Rod Sims that plans to privatise Western Australia's poles and wires utility, Western Power, would lead to lower prices, while Labor leader Mark McGowan has claimed a re-elected Liberal government would also sell Water Corporation. 

The Australian share market has closed higher as US President Donald Trump's move to repeal Obamacare appeared to help clear the way for him to start tackling tax reform, which markets have been waiting for.

ANALYSIS: Pauline Hanson has done her cause no good with the claim that there is ‘sheer hatred’ in Western Australia towards Premier Colin Barnett. Labor leader Mark McGowan might be more popular with the voters, but the ‘sheer hatred’ tag is extraordinary.

Listed communications and ICT services provider Inabox Group has grown its local presence with the acquisition of Perth-based Logic Communications for $1.5 million in cash.

The decision to sell his commercial business was the first of many steps into the unknown Johannes Pannekoek has taken in his pursuit of a career in art.

Perth hotel prices fell by 11.5 per cent in 2016, with demand for lodgings continuing to cool along with Western Australia’s economy.

OPINION: High fixed and labour costs are big barriers to a sustainable retail sector, as recent failures attest.

The Takeovers Panel has declined to look into construction giant CIMIC Group's claim that takeover target Macmahon Holdings' target statement was misleading and deceptive.

The Reserve Bank of Australia remains upbeat about the nation's economy, signalling it doesn't intend to move interest rates this year.

One of the three prime contractors undertaking the state government’s GovNext ICT infrastructure project has recruited Perth-based IT services provider Empired as a subcontractor under a $15 million deal.

ANALYSIS: One of the sleeper issues in the election campaign is the strategy for renewable energy over the next four years. There has been surprisingly little debate on the issue, which affects householders and business alike.

Falling commodity prices and caution ahead of the Reserve Bank's interest rate statement are weighing on Australian shares.

One Nation won’t negotiate on sale of Western PowerPauline Hanson’s One Nation has vowed n

Oil prices have whipsawed, turning negative after the International Energy Agency forecast potential shale oil growth and waning European refined product demand, before Brent did an about turn into positive territory.

The Australian dollar is hardly changed against its US counterpart which has risen on improved chances of an anti-EU candidate winning the French presidential election.

Gold has fallen for the third straight session, but has hovered above Friday's two-week low, pressured by comments from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen that reinforced expectations of an increase to US interest rates this month.

US stocks pulled back on Monday in a broad decline as investors grew uneasy over the latest tumult surrounding the Trump administration and geopolitical tensions emanating from North Korea.

In this Business News podcast, Mark Pownall and Mark Beyer discuss WA growth, Crown jobs, penalty rates and tourism.

Subiaco-based Lucapa Diamond Company has sold $9.1 million of alluvial diamonds from its Lulo operation in Angola, bringing its total sales from that site to more than $100 million.

Western Australian apartment investors are increasingly confident that their properties will provide a capital return, even over the short term.

The Australian share market has closed lower with the major miners, energy players and banks leading losses after Wall Street fell and the Australian dollar lost ground.

A Hong Kong-based company has joined the share register of live export business Wellard International just days after Holmes a Court family entity Heytesbury Holdings took a stake.

When Gary Cass spoiled a vat of wine by accidentally flooding it with oxygen ar a South West vineyard more than 20 years ago , he noticed a textile-like substance had developed inside the container

Demanding WA Labor submit election promises to Treasury for scrutiny has proved a potent line of attack for the Liberals this week, as the government tried to change the topic from its preference deal with Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

Western Australia's deputy premier says the government is finding it hard to cut through to the public because it is being heavily outspent by the opposition and unions on political advertising.

Moves to extend trading hours on weekdays and on Sundays could be a hit with voters, according to a recent survey conducted for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA, with 59 per cent of shoppers keen for longer weekday trade.