Lynas Corporation posted a 7.4 per cent rise in quarterly revenue as higher demand for rare earth elements countered weaker prices and the miner said it was on track to get its processing licence renewed by Malaysia in March.
Oil prices fell 2 per cent overnight on concern the spread of a virus from China could lower fuel demand if it stunts economic growth, but losses were limited by a drawdown in US crude inventories.
Gold rose overnight as scaling concerns over a coronavirus outbreak in China and its impact on global economy soured sentiments for riskier assets, propping up demand for the safe-haven asset.
Australian stocks have fallen for just the fourth time in 2020 after days of record highs amid profit warnings and concerns about the deadly virus outbreak in China.
The number of people working full time in Western Australia fell over December, but the state's jobless rate improved by 0.3 percentage points to 5.4 per cent, according to latest employment figures.
Shares in national contracting groups CIMIC and Downer have plummeted more than 20 per cent after the companies reported significant write-downs and higher costs respectively.
The state government today announced the investment of $2.7 million to secure a Caterpillar autonomous training facility in Collie, the first such facility in the Southern Hemisphere.
Westpac has named "battle-hardened" banking veteran John McFarlane as its next chairman to help it recover from the fallout of a massive money laundering and child exploitation scandal.
Australian stocks were down across the board at noon after days of record highs amid profit warnings and concerns about the deadly virus outbreak in China.
Oil prices fell about 2 per cent overnight as a market surplus forecast by the International Energy Agency and demand worries amid the outbreak of a virus in China outweighed concern over disruptions to Libya's crude output.
Gold eased slightly overnight as risk sentiment recovered and the dollar held firm, but expectations of dovish monetary policy from global central banks capped bullion's losses and kept prices above the $US1,550 an ounce level.
The Australian share market has smashed through the 7,100 mark, resuming its record-breaking trajectory as some traders were apparently caught in a short squeeze.
Water Corporation chairman Mike Hollett has tendered his resignation, citing business and family interests, just two months after being reappointed to the role. Deputy chair David Lock will act in the role until a permanent chair is appointed.
Australian shares have shrugged off a pullback to open higher again despite global markets reacting negatively overnight to news of a potential epidemic.
Oil prices fell overnight on expectations a well-supplied global market, including supplies from growing record US production, would be able to absorb disruptions that have cut Libya's crude production to a trickle.
Gold shed 1 per cent in volatile overnight trade as investors booked profits after prices hit a two-week high early in the session, although losses were limited by a slide in equities due to worries about a virus outbreak in China.
The state and federal governments today announced the first details of several planned infrastructure projects on Rottnest Island, on the back of $33 million in investments for the island over the next three years.
BHP has detailed the rapid expansion of its recently established Operations Services subsidiary, which it says is delivering better results than the maintenance contractors it has displaced from its iron ore and coal operations.
Oil prices rose to their highest in more than a week overnight after two large crude production bases in Libya began shutting down amid a military blockade, risking reducing crude flows from the OPEC member to a trickle.
Gold hit a more than one-week high overnight as buyers hedged against persistent tensions in the Middle East and impeachment proceedings against US President Donald Trump, while deficit-hit palladium's record run showed no signs of abating.
Emerald Resources has announced plans to raise $75 million to fund its Cambodia-based Okvau gold project, via two placements of 1.9 billion new shares.
