US stocks have inched lower, with the S&P 500 retreating slightly from a record, as weakness in the energy and financial sectors outweighed gains in technology shares.
Oil prices fell about one per cent on signs of resurgent crude output in Libya and concerns that extended production cuts by leading exporting countries may not be enough to drain a global glut that has depressed prices for almost three years.
Gold prices eased after hitting a one month high on Tuesday as economic data from the United States showed increased signs that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates next month.
The Federal Court has granted the corporate watchdog's request to wind-up Pilbara-based property developer Macro Group, appointing representatives of KPMG as liquidators today.
Global ratings agency S&P has cut its credit rating for Quintis for the second time this month and kept the troubled Indian sandalwood producer on credit watch with negative implications, suggesting another downgrade is possible.
East coast-based companies AGL Energy and Origin Energy have received approval to enter Western Australia's domestic gas market, where they will join Wesfarmers subsidiary Kleenheat and Alinta Energy.
The premier has committed $35 million towards the next two stages of the Albany Ring Road heavy haulage route, but will call on the federal government for the balance of the project's $172 million cost.
Premier Mark McGowan has refused to reiterate his election promise made three months ago of no new taxes or tax increases, instead deflecting the issue by saying the state is in a "catastrophic" financial mess.
Simon Bennison has announced his resignation as chief executive of the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies, with the search for his successor under way.
Cleanaway has opened a $20 million materials recovery facility (MRF) in South Guildford, which it claims is the most advanced recycling plant in the Southern Hemisphere.
Local explorer GTI Resources has terminated plans to acquire Poseidon Nickel's Windarra gold assets near Laverton, after missing a near-$1 million payment deadline.
BHP throws $4.5bn shale surge at ElliottBHP Billiton has hit back at claims from activist fund Elliott Management that US shale ground trading has destroyed value, with
The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart which also had ranged sideways with little data to direct it and traders in the US and Britain away for public holidays.
Oil prices have risen slightly, barely paring last week's steep losses with the market remaining cautious as increases in US drilling activity have undercut an OPEC-led push to tighten supply.
Gold has held near its highest in a month in holiday-thinned trade, with a softer US dollar and a retreat in stock markets helping the metal cling on to the previous session's gains.
The red tape facing some businesses is having consequences beyond merely increasing compliance costs, according to chair of the federal government's Black Economy Taskforce Michael Andrews, and is a contributing factor in tax evasion far more significant than any similar activity undertaken by multinationals.
SPECIAL REPORT: Technological change is making parts of small business, such as managing accounts and chasing up invoices, less time and cost intensive.
A slide in banking stocks has driven the Australian share market to its lowest level since March as investor nervousness about regulatory activity weighs on financial stocks.
The lobby group representing Australia's big businesses has called on the sector to sign up to its new voluntary payment term code in a bid to stave off regulatory changes.
OPINION: More does not always mean better. This fact of life, told by generations of mothers to their children, is something Australia's banks are discovering as they fight to defend their handsome profits from the latest tax raid.
Five local companies will share in a combined $92 million worth of contracts awarded by the state government, with the majority of the work comprising school construction jobs.
Plastic bags are being shunned by councils in Western Australia, which are making the most of Premier Mark McGowan's support for local governments to ban the bag.
Mineral sands miner MZI Resources has tapped its major shareholder Resource Capital Funds for a $US5 million ($A6.7 million) debt financing deal to expand the mining area at its Keysbrook operation near Serpentine.
Perth IT firm ASG Group has made an all-cash $123.4 million offer to acquire Melbourne-based SMS Management & Technology, but the target has maintained its recommendation of an offer previously put forward by another competitor.
