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US stocks have fallen sharply, joining European equities in retreat after poor Chinese industrial data deepened worries about the world's second-biggest economy.

The Australian dollar has slipped below 70 US cents after Chinese industrial profits figures added to evidence that the Chinese economy is slowing.

Business groups in WA are taking the lead on forming a peak infrastructure council after state government failure to support the concept.

It’s intriguing to see Western Australians are winners in a less conservative government.

Oil prices have dropped in the wake of a sharp fall in industrial profits in China, the latest sign of weakness in the world's largest energy consumer.

Gold had its worst session in two-and-a-half weeks, extending Friday's losses ahead of a key US jobs report later in the week that could boost bets the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year.

Karratha has become the second regional centre in Western Australia after Onslow to complete a major airport upgrade this year, with Busselton and Port Hedland set to commence projects that will lift total spending to about $240 million.

Heavy falls by energy stocks have pulled the share market lower, reversing early gains.

Phoenix Gold shareholders will be hoping for an improved takeover offer from Evolution Mining, after a proposal to acquire the business was knocked back by Phoenix directors today.

Fremantle defender Michael Johnson is in doubt for Friday night's AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn because of a back injury, according to reports.

Programmed Maintenance Services’ $424 million takeover of its larger competitor Skilled Group is a step closer to fruition, after Skilled shareholders voted in favour of the scheme of arrangement today.

Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles fans will be heavily invested in the on-field action at the two preliminary finals in Perth tonight and tomorrow, but the operator of the ageing Domain stadium is counting on an even bigger bet coming off.

Mycovative is a small biotech startup run by molecular genetics and biotechnology student Ben Sharp.

The government of Malcolm Turnbull moved quickly to differentiate itself from that of Tony Abbott with some key cabinet announcements –including the reintroduction of the position of a minster for cities and the built environment.

A difficult 2015 financial year for the Western Australian economy has flowed through to a soft performance for the state’s listed money managers, according to BNiQ research, with the biggest player considering a restructure to diversify its income sources.

The architect behind the City Beach Surf Club redevelopment says the quality of the work will surprise many who have reservations about such projects.

Two Western Australian mums are among a raft of winners in the national Ausmumpreneur annual awards, which celebrates women who are successfully running their own business and juggling family life.

The City of Perth’s small but growing residential population is increasingly the target of those seeking council positions.

Local manufacturer Civmec has announced plans to further diversify its services, with the formation of a new defence business unit and a $30 million spend to expand its Henderson facilities.

Australia Post has notched up its first full-year loss in more than 30 years.

The Australian share market has opened higher.

Austal willing to consider SA shipyard

US stocks have finished lower on global growth fears with shares of industrial heavyweight Caterpillar sinking after it announced thousands of job cuts.

Oil prices have edged higher recovering some of the losses from the previous day's session that were prompted by increased US oil output.

The Australian dollar is higher, after the US dollar weakened against most of the major currencies on the back some encouraging US economic data.

Spot gold has rallied more than two per cent for the biggest one-day gain in almost eight months as a weak US dollar sparked short covering while platinum recovered from a four-day rout even as automotive demand woes lingered.

Under new PM Malcolm Turnbull, WA has numbers in cabinet not seen since the Hawke-Keating era.

Top Western Australian publicly listed companies with fewer women on boards than the national average may get the boost they need following the launch of a new club.

Former Sirius Resources managing director Mark Bennett said there has been a “tidal wave” of offers from other groups wanting to work with his new exploration company, as he seeks to replicate the

Struggling miner Mirabela Nickel has been placed in the hands of administrators, 15 months after the company completed an innovative restructuring to emerge from its first stint in administration.

Brookfield Multiplex has taken the top spot on the HIA-Cordell top 100 list of companies operating in the engineering construction, non-residential building and apartment sectors.

The Australian share market has closed nearly 1.5 per cent higher as bargain-hunters moved in to buy stocks beaten down on Wednesday.