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US stocks have finished mixed but some selling pressure continued to dog the technology sector amid worries about overvaluations.

The Australian dollar remains well above 93.5 US cents after better than expected employment figures fuelled hopes of a sustained jobs market recovery.

Two major events last week highlighted the private sector’s desire to deliver new port infrastructure, and it’s a trend the Barnett government could take even further.

The state's gold sector fears it will be tapped for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional royalty revenue banked by the Barnett government in its latest budget.

The share market held on to early gains to add three quarters of a per cent in value.

The government appears to have reacted to pre-budget industry fears by declaring only modest cuts to new housing market entrants' stamp duty concessions, however it still earned the wrath of some industry players.

The Barnett government has trimmed back its record capital works spend further, deferring spending on key infrastructure projects including the Swan Valley Bypass.

Western Australia’s unemployment rate has remained at 4.9 per cent in April, in line with the national rate which has held steady at 5.8 per cent.

Business directors’ confidence in the Coalition has fallen dramatically as the Abbott government’s first budget looms, according to a new survey.

Just as Western Australia’s nickel miners pop champagne corks to celebrate the remarkable 40 per cent rise in the nickel price over the past five months, signs have started to emerge that the party might soon be over

Decmil Group has won a $35 million contract at Rio Tinto’s West Angelas iron ore project to build infrastructure related to developing the Deposit B ore body.

Millions of motorists could soon be paying more for petrol if the federal government decides to increase the fuel excise in next week's budget.

A new book on climate change paints a grim view of the future, but not for the reasons you may think.

World oil prices have surged higher after crude inventories unexpectedly fell from a record high in the United States, suggesting better demand in the world's largest crude consumer.

US stocks have finished mostly higher following more-conciliatory statements by Russia's president amid the Ukraine crisis, but weak earnings from some technology stocks pushed the Nasdaq into the red.

When Australia’s health insurance funds increased their premiums at the start of April it was Western Australian fund HIF that had the lowest increases across the board.

As Business News' Rising Stars search draws to a close, the founder of a contracting company that expanded through the GFC, but had a “disastrous” last financial year and more recently lost $1 million through its dealings with Forge Group, is pursuing growth again with a new strategy.

Mount Lawley's soon-to-be fifth Mexican eatery, Guzman y Gomez, claims it offers something distinct from the neighbouring competition.

A target to aim for and a system for monitoring progress is a great start if you want to improve the results in your business.

The Australian share market has followed the global trend and has finished lower, with mining stocks taking the biggest hit.

Perth's rental market price pressure has eased further, with the median rent falling to $450 per week according to the Real Estate Institute of WA.

The retail sector appears to be suffering a hangover after strong spending over the Christmas period and is unlikely to bounce back any time soon, according to analysts.

Western Australia’s travel agents are set to be released from extra regulatory burdens, levelling the playing field between them and competing international agencies.

Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers appear set to be trimmed, with Premier Colin Barnett hinting the change will be among measures introduced in tomorrow's state budget.

Copper and gold explorer Stavely Minerals debuted on the ASX today in what was the first float by a Western Australia-based minerals play in more than a year.

Engineering contractor Monadelphous Group has been awarded a series of new maintenance services contracts and contract extensions worth $140 million.

Premier Colin Barnett has not ruled out the possibility of disgraced former treasurer Troy Buswell returning to his cabinet, but says it will not happen in the "medium term".

The Asciano-led Yilgarn Esperance Solution consortium has won the bid to design, build and operate a new multi-user iron ore facility at Esperance Port, understood to be worth about $200 million.

Diploma Group has bolstered its order book, securing agreements worth a combined $40 million for the construction of TRG Properties' Empire apartment development at Perry Lakes.

Private equity fund Denham Capital has launched its first Australian mining investment, committing $200 million to newly-formed coal venture Pembroke Resources in a deal spearheaded by the firm's Perth-based mining team.

The share market is lower due to falls on overseas markets and uncertainty about what will be contained in next week's Federal budget.

Gold prices slipped as investors took profits from the previous session's three-week high.