Oil prices have slipped as producers hinted at more output, while US stocks had their first loss in four sessions after a mixed bag of earnings reports.
Wall Street has suffered its first loss in four sessions after a mixed bag of quarterly reports and a warning by Verizon Communications that a strike by workers would likely impact its bottom line
The suggestion Treasurer Mike Nahan threatened to quit if the privatisation of electricity utility Western Power was not contemplated has been shot down by the premier.
SPECIAL REPORT: The state government is pursuing major reforms to the training sector, at a time when national data on traineeships and apprenticeships tells a surprising story for WA.
Woodside Petroleum has received a first strike against its remuneration report, with about 27.6 per cent of shareholders voting against it, while chairman Michael Chaney has flagged he may not step down at the next AGM as previously suggested.
BHP Billiton spinoff South 32 has cut third quarter production at several businesses but remains on track to meet its full-year guidance across all its units.
Perth property investor Stephen Lauder and Jandakot City developer Ascot Capital have completed their second joint venture purchase, with the $65 million acquisition of a serviced apartments building in Canberra.
Property developer Peet has entered into an agreement for a $1.7 billion development in the Australian Capital Territory to construct up to 3,300 units and townhouses on the campus of the University of Canberra.
Precast concrete manufacturer PERMAcast has recruited former Bis Industries boss Chris Berkefeld as its new chairman, following the retirement of founding director Grey Egerton-Warburton.
Gold has steadied as a firmer tone to the US dollar has held gains in check, though silver extended gains to an 11-month peak, boosted by technical momentum and perceptions it is undervalued versus gold.
Oil prices have jumped as government data showed US crude stocks rose slightly less than expected last week, while the US dollar advanced against the euro ahead of a European Central Bank meeting.
Wall Street ended less than two per cent short of a record-high close as a rebound in oil prices added to optimism sparked by a raft of earnings reports.
March quarter revenue was down by nearly a third on the same period last year, Woodside Petroleum revealed today, although it flagged that it was continuing work with Hess on gas processing from the Equus field.
Perth will host the opening Commonwealth Bank Test in November, with Australia to take on South Africa at the WACA Ground - the first time Perth has had the opening Test of the summer since it hosted Zimbabwe in 2003.
Perth-based junior miners MOD Resources, Primary Gold and Alloy Resources have announced plans to raise a combined $10.4 million to fund ongoing work at their respective projects
