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Manufacturing activity has fallen for a second consecutive month as the winding down of the car industry overshadowed a big fall by the Australian dollar.

The Australian share market has opened lower amid ongoing Aussie dollar weakness, a fall in commodity prices and soft leads from US equities.

The Australian dollar is still levelling off after its recent falls, getting support from some encouraging European economic data.

Standfirst: The IMF and Reserve Bank have urged reform of housing taxes but we should tackle this in a broader context of tax reform.

World oil prices have slumped, with the main US contract falling 3.6 per cent due to worries about a supply glut and the strengthening dollar.

Wall Street stocks have finished lower following disappointing economic data, including a big drop in US consumer confidence.

The appointment of investment banker Michael Ashforth as manager of the Bennett family’s $1.5 billion fortune highlights the maturing of Western Australia’s private wealth market.

Cassini Resources, the five cent explorer that quickly graduated to a 25 cent stock in April after acquiring BHP Billiton’s West Musgrave nickel-copper project has taken a share price hit in its stride as it seeks to educate the market on its as yet unrealised potential.

The head of the country's largest wealth manager has warned Australians will end up poorer and paying more tax to fund pensions if something isn't done to boost superannuation savings.

The share market has closed higher as investors found reason to buy back into the sold-off banking sector.

Australia's largest food maker isn't too bothered about the arrival of 85-cents-a-loaf bread on supermarket shelves.

Rare earths producer Lynas Corporation has announced an $83 million capital raising to help replenish its crippled cash balance.

Newcrest Mining increased short-term bonuses to top executives more than 11-fold this year despite making another heavy loss.

West Perth-based miner Metals X has completed a $40.4 million pre-pay arrangement with Citibank for the production of over 30,000 ounces of gold.

Range Resources has secured a US$15 million loan from John Hancock-advised Lind Partners to accelerate development drilling of Range’s Trinidad onshore assets.

Misinformation and pseudo science are being used to thwart fracking, which is in its infancy in Australia.

The amount Australians owe on their mortgages has notched up its fastest annual growth for three and half years.

Charities tackling leading causes of death in WA are missing out on more fundraising dollars.

City councils are being urged to make it easier for local retail strips to be revitalised.

Retail property players say international fashion brands are only the beginning of the global onslaught.

After 10 years of limited development, Perth’s major shopping centres are expanding and evolving.

The Fremantle Dockers will take another step towards moving out of their traditional heartland later this week, with the $107 million aquatic recreation centre joint venture with the City of Cockbu

Retailers are increasingly trying to find a balance between having an online presence and getting shoppers through the door of traditional stores.

A prime riverfront restaurant has been placed on the market, with selling agent Colliers International expecting strong interest from Perth’s top hospitality operators.

Peak Resources has secured a $28.6 million funding deal with mining and metals equity investor Appian Natural Resources Fund, to assist in financing a bankable feasibility study at its Ngualla rare earth project in Tanzania.

The coal industry is getting its "mojo" back despite job losses, BHP Billiton chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie says.

Online retail spending growth continues to slow.

As worries about the global financial crisis fade, Australian households look ready to break open their piggy banks.

Shares in Perth-based metals explorer Peel Mining have surged on news it would receive up to $7 million through a farm-in agreement with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation.

Telstra's forgotten pay phone booths will be repurposed as Wi-Fi hotspots as part of a plan to blanket public spaces with internet.

The Australian share market has opened flat after iron ore prices hit a fresh five-year low.

A worker has died at BHP Billiton's Worsley alumina refinery in Western Australia's South West after falling down an elevator shaft near a conveyor belt.