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US stocks have finished mostly lower after a short-lived jump that came when the Federal Reserve's policy meeting minutes cast doubt on an interest rate hike in June.

For a second week, reported sales activity has fallen 8% and now sits marginally below the average for the year to date.

Oil prices have risen after data showed a drop in US petroleum supplies and production.

The Australian share market has closed slightly lower as a sharp fall in iron ore prices weighed upon the big miners.

Any residents who are forced out of their homes to make way for the Perth Freight Link will be "generously treated", the premier has promised.

With the mining downturn weighing on confidence, local small and medium-size businesses are feeling more negative about their economic prospects, according to a new report by Bibby Financial Services.

Iluka Resources hasn't given up on its United States operations despite incurring an $82 million writedown last year.

Shopping centre owner Scentre Group has lodged plans to spend $450 million expanding its Westfield Innaloo mall, with the proposal to cater for up to 500 apartments.

The federal government seems to have abandoned any effort at budget repair, and is instead focused on securing re-election.

Uber is considering legal action to challenge a tax office ruling that requires its drivers to pay GST in line with taxi operators.

Treasurer Mike Nahan has flagged the possibility of demolishing and replacing the outdated Royal Perth Hospital with a new tertiary health facility, after the state government was criticised for not setting aside $180 million for a major upgrade.

Fortescue Metals Group hopes that its calls for an inquiry into the iron ore market will generate enough public pressure to force rivals to rein in their expansion plans.

A Malaysian Sultan has emerged as the buyer of Dalkeith’s Sunset Hospital matron's house, with the state government announcing the sale of the 1,993 square metre property for $8.5 million.

Mining junior RNI says a number of recent cost-cutting measures included staff redundancies and salary cuts across the board, as the company announced a $26.5 million recapitalisation plan to pay off debt.

Uranium miner Vimy Resources has received a $30 million financing package from a mining-focused private equity fund, to advance ongoing development of its flagship Mulga Rock project near Kalgoorlie.

Coles will expand the number of its own branded products to drive growth and to rival Woolworths' plans to match Aldi prices.

West Perth-based Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd has tapped investors for a $174 million capital raising to fund ongoing development of its two North American LNG projects.

Kerry Stokes' Seven Group Holdings has increased its stakes in energy companies Drillsearch Energy and Beach Energy.

The Australian share market is weaker, following a sluggish lead from the US.

The Australian dollar has fallen after the greenback was supported in overnight trade by the release of stronger than expected US housing data.

Gold's five-day rally ran out of steam on Tuesday as the dollar extended gains on strong US data, while global shares rose on the European Central Bank's suggestion it may speed up bond buying.

Plans are advancing for a major redevelopment at Westfield Whitford City, including 739 apartments along with 27,000 square metres of new retail space.

It has been almost seven years since the GFC, and the subsequent drop in tax revenue has challenged two federal governments here in Australia.

Perth’s Ritz-Carlton hotel is a step closer to being built, with the City of Perth approving it, along with two mammoth apartment towers at Kings Square, overnight.

Wall Street stocks have finished mixed in a choppy session following disappointing Walmart earnings and a pullback in many petroleum stocks.

Oil prices have slumped as resurgent worries about the global supply glut combined with a sharp dollar rally.

Blackham Resources has negotiated a $38.5 million funding package from a mining-focused investment firm to complete a feasibility and bring its Matilda gold project into production.

Just days after it strongly criticised plans for a new medical school at Curtin University, the Australian Medical Association is again at odds with the state government, this time over a restructuring of Healthway.

The share market has fallen for a second straight day despite a brief lift on further indications the Reserve Bank is open to more interest rate cuts.

HBF has announced it will formally merge with its subsidiary HealthGuard, in an effort to save costs and boost efficiency.

Aziana has received firm commitments from its two largest shareholders for a $4 million capital raising it is undertaking as part of its reverse takeover of US-based biotech firm BrainChip.

Perth-based Matrix Composites & Engineering has flagged a number of redundancies and a $2.6 million impairment as it battles falling demand for its services in the tough economic climate.