Investors trying to pick the next big thing in the resources boom poured their money into a diverse group of Western Australian companies last year, including iron ore, coal and phosphate stocks.
As so often happens in the unpredictable hurly-burly of party political rivalry, while you're looking one way there's something happening elsewhere that's at least equally, and often far more, important.
Western Australia is in the middle of a once-in-a-generation boom, but you'd struggle to know that if you had closely followed the state election campaign.
Whether or not you are a fan of the Olympic Games, this wonderful event does highlight the competitiveness of nations, exposing what can be achieved by investment of resources and exploitation of natural advantages.
The falling Australian dollar could play out nicely for industrial company Schaffer Corporation Ltd, which last week posted a 6 per cent increase in net profit to $11 million for the 2008 financial year.
Whether or not you are a fan of the Olympic Games, this wonderful event does highlight the competitiveness of nations, exposing what can be achieved by investment of resources and exploitation of natural advantages.
The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resour
The state government has committed $20 million to upgrading the rail link between Greenbushes and Bunbury port in an effort to move the transportation of timber logs from road onto rail.
A national think tank has called for tax cuts, better urban planning and the privatisation of the state's rail network and electricity generation ahead of the state election next month.
Macmahon Holdings Ltd has further strengthened its takeover bid for Ausdrill Ltd, waiving several conditions and allowing shareholders to keep the final six cents dividend.
The downturn in the financial sector has hit West Perth-based financial services company Centrepoint Alliance Ltd, which today reported an $11.8 million goodwill writedown and a full year net loss of $9.5 million.
Despite forecasting a profit growth in excess of $40 million for the 2008 financial year, Western Australian property developer Port Bouvard Ltd has reported an 88 per cent slump in net profit to $3.2 million.
The future of Troy Buswell is in doubt after Liberal leader Colin Barnett refused to say if the former opposition leader will be included in the cabinet if the party is elected.
A number of acquisitions over the 2008 financial year have driven Cash Converters International Ltd's net profit up 31 per cent to a record of over $15 million.
Premier Alan Carpenter's pledge to impose a legislative ban on uranium mining has prompted an outcry from mining lobby groups and the traditional owners who hold land rights over the major Kintyre uranium deposit.
Fremantle-based oil and gas services company Mermaid Marine Australia Ltd has reported a net profit of $17.9 million for the 2008 financial year, up 43 per cent on the previous corresponding period.
Gage Roads has posted a net loss after tax of $3.62 million for fiscal 2008 compared to $3.07 million in 2007, reflecting increased marketing and personnel expenditure against a background of flat sales growth.
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West Perth-based intellectual property group ipernica Ltd has reported a record net profit after tax of $15 million for the 2008 financial year, up 244 per cent on the previous year.
The managing director of earthmoving and mining equipment supplier Emeco Holdings Ltd has described the company's full-year performance as a "tale of two halves" as it booked a net profit decline of 10 per cent.
The state Labor Party has sought to capitalise on community concern over uranium mining, promising to introduce legislation banning the controversial practice if re-elected next month.
Despite a challenging year for the financial sector, Perth-based Police & Nurses Credit Society has reported a slight fall in group net profit to $19 million for the 2008 financial year.
Uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd has decreased its full year net loss to $42 million on the back of an improved performance from its Langer Heinrich uranium mine in Namibia.
Unprecedented growth in the Pilbara region looks set to continue according to new population projections from the Pilbara Industry's Community Council.
An increase in marketing and personnel expenditure against a background of flat sales growth has prompted Gage Roads Brewing Co Ltd to post a full year net loss of nearly $4 million.
Transfield Services has secured a $120 million three-year contract to provide asset management services to BHP Billiton Nickel West in Western Australia.
Babcock and Brown Infrastructure Ltd has reported a full year net loss of $51 million and a cut in distributions, despite acquisitions over the past year including Alinta boosting revenue up 85 per cent.
Shares in agribusiness investment manager Great Southern Ltd jumped briefly higher today after a major restructure proposal to create a company with three business streams.
It's a win-win situation for iron ore hopeful Golden West Resources Ltd and Yilgarn Infrastructure Ltd following a rail and port deal in the state's Mid West region.
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