Perron sells Vasse Estate half stake

The Stokes family-controlled SGH says it has delivered a strong first-half result, and signalled its not for turning on its rejected BlueScope takeover bid.

Several of Graeme Dunn-led Southern Cross Electrical Engineering's subsidiaries have secured a series of contracts across multiple sectors, valued overall at $75 million.

Commonwealth Bank shares have hit a three-month high after the largest bank lifted earnings and boosted its dividend payout.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq has closed lower, while the Dow edged up to its third record close in a row, as investors digested disappointing retail sales figures and waited for ‌a key labour market report.