Latest Headlines

Gold rose on Wednesday on bargain hunting, reversing course from a two-week low touched earlier, as investors latched on to the metal's overall uptrend on the back of a low interest rate environment globally and lingering uncertainties.

Finance group Argonaut has won a Supreme Court ruling against Perth company director Russell Moran, who could owe in excess of $30 million after taking out a high-interest loan six years ago to buy

AMP has been ordered to pay a $5.2 million penalty after the Federal Court found the bank had failed to take reasonable steps to ensure its financial planners complied with the best interests duty.

Outdoor sports retailer Mainpeak has gone into administration after the local brand suffered continued financial losses.

Australian stocks have finished higher for a second day but could not sustain a move above 7,000 as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in China neared 500.

Biotech company Zelira Therapeutics has received commitments to raise around $4.6 million from a share placement, while rent.com.au is planning an underwritten $2.9 million rights issue.

Rio Tinto and Telstra have announced shorter payment terms for small and medium Australian businesses, whereby SMEs will be paid within 20 days of a valid invoice receipt.

Shares in CIMIC Group are up 8 per cent, a day after the international contractor named a new chief executive and announced a $1 billion full-year loss related to its decision to exit the Middle East.

Besk co-owners Elliot Moore and Ben Braham are committed to delivering a dynamically different hospitality experience in West Leederville.

There are concerns the share market's strength doesn't accurately reflect the nation's economic performance, or outlook.

OPINION: Australia's natural environment requires us to return to more effective strategies to minimise fire risk.

Civil and mining contractor NRW Holdings has secured a $70 million contract for works on the Iron Bridge magnetite project near Port Hedland.

Investment house Dorado Property has acquired the office building at 12 Newcastle Street in a deal worth $24.2 million.

Mining services provider Perenti Global says it is considering buying Downer EDI's mining servicing business, but dismissed a report of a $700 million offer.

Investor services group Computershare will buy registered agent provider Corporate Creations for $142.9 million in a move to improve its reach in the US.

Australian stocks are higher on renewed confidence about how China is handling the coronavirus crisis.

APRA to health funds: only the big will survive

Oil prices edged lower overnight as fears that energy demand would take a long-term hit from the coronavirus outbreak offset prospects for more cuts in crude production from OPEC and its allies.

Gold slid more than 1 per cent overnight as Chinese steps to mitigate the economic impact from the coronavirus epidemic drove some investors away from safe havens and back into riskier assets.

Perth-based engineering group Clough has secured a design and construction contract with ASX-listed Australian Bauxite for an aluminium fluoride production plant in NSW.

Australian shares have closed higher as China took steps to prop up its economy and global manufacturing data showed factory activity rebounding in January.

Construction has started on an $18.7 million redevelopment of Wellington Square, with a new playground and a raft of recreational facilities expected to significantly boost the amenity of the eastern end of the CBD.

Fashion accessory retailer Colette by Colette Hayman, which has 15 stores in Western Australia and 126 across the country, has been placed into voluntary administration.

Subiaco's fortunes are on an upswing after years plagued by high retail vacancies, high-profile hospitality closures and an uncertain future with the exit of AFL football to the Burswood Peninsula.

A coastal village featuring a hospitality precinct and a new jetty will be the centrepiece of a $425 million housing estate in Port Kennedy, which will be developed over the next decade.

Ian Purdy will replace Scott Sullivan as the new chief executive of Paladin Energy, following the uranium miner's major board upheaval two months ago.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held the cash rate at a record low 0.75 per cent, as widely expected by economists.

Gage Roads Brewing Company shares have lost a bit of fizz with the WA company's stock plunging to a more than two-year low after it flagged a shortfall in sales was likely contribute to a full-year guidance miss.

Kerman Contracting has secured a $55 million sub-contract from engineering firm Mondium to complete design and construction works at Rio Tinto's iron ore mine near Tom Price.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repelled a leadership challenge from Barnaby Joyce, emerging victorious in a party room ballot this morning, while Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as Greens leader following the resignation of Richard Di Natale.

The founders of Western Australia's largest e-waste recycling business claim a national waste recycling scheme is not being enforced properly, providing opportunities for non-compliant e-waste recyclers.

Australian shares have recovered from morning jitters as investors wait for news on the deadly coronavirus and a rates decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia.