Colin Jacoby

It has been another big year for managed investment schemes, but the experts warn the industry is consolidating rapidly.

With the rapid rise of base metal prices during the first half of 2006, it wasn’t a question of if there would be a correction, but when.

There has been an almost unparalleled number of floats and other capital raising in the past six months, with nearly 30 Western Australian companies raising more than $130 million and accumulating a combined market capitalisation of more than $290 million

Two Western Australian companies have cited investment market volatility as a key issue for the failure of their fund raising plans, the first notable setbacks after a period of unprecedented corporate activity.

Perth-headquartered US-focused aquaculture company Australis Ltd has announced its new US hatchery is now fully operational with approximately 1 million juvenile barramundi currently in production.

Shares in Perth-based Eastland Medical Systems Ltd have climbed over 12 per cent today after announcing it had concluded a supply contract and received its first substantial export order for 5 million ClipOn "Safe" needle devices.

Herdsman-based diversified explorer Northern Mining Ltd has withdrawn its prospectus, dated 6th June, citing the current volatility in the share market as the major reason.

Applecross-based engineering service provider Monadelphous Group Ltd has secured major construction and maintenance services contracts valued at $70 million.

Western Australian headquartered engineering group VDM Group Ltd has entered into a contract to acquire Darwin-based environmental consultancy business EcOz Environmental Services, effective 1 July 2006, for $250,000.