Tim Treadgold

IT might not feel like it, but there are early signs of boom conditions forming in some parts of the state’s mining industry, with two sectors in particular benefiting from events in the markets for commodities, labour, and capital equipment.

The desire to bash the banks is understandable when some of their past behaviour is considered; but before the bashing goes too far, it is important critics know what it would mean to damage an important part of the Australian economy at a delicate point in the global economic cycle.

The short selling of shares in some of Australia’s biggest retail stocks suggests investors are concerned about the sector’s future.

Problems with electricity supply and pricing on the eastern seaboard could provide an opportunity for WA.

High-end residential property prices in Perth have weakened considerably since the iron ore construction boom ended and oil prices collapsed, although these two negative events are slowly slipping from the headlines and being replaced by positive changes.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mining stocks are again leading the way in shareholder returns, but this time it’s not the iron ore players doing the business.

Amid a few bright spots on the earnings front, the WA economy’s rebound is being thwarted by still-low global prices for iron ore.

Pressure is mounting on local media players amid growing digital disruption. 

Tipping future residential property prices is tricky, but in Western Australia there is a potential technique that is so obvious it’s a surprise no-one has used it before – linking property to the state’s biggest industry, resources.