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trade talks with the United States but crude's gains were capped by forecasts of a build up in US stockpiles.

Gold steadied in a tight range overnight as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of a crucial Brexit vote while focus shifted to the US Federal Reserve's stance on interest rate cuts.

The Australian share market has closed higher on positive signs for easing US-China trade tensions and a deal on Brexit.

DoricJaxon Consolidated maintained a modest profit for the 2019 fiscal year, despite sluggish conditions in Western Australia's commercial construction sector.

The new chief executive of one of Western Australia's most iconic companies says the state government needs to adopt a bold vision to help shake-off the state's population growth woes and kickstart residential construction, with the establishment of Perth as the world leader in autonomous vehicles the type of initiative that should be embraced.

Tech entrepreneur Olivia Humphrey is moving back to Perth after six years in San Francisco, where she has attracted new investors, top executives and a growing customer base to her video streaming business Kanopy.

Rio Tinto is studying ways to extract lithium from waste rock at a mine it controls in California, making it the latest company trying to produce the battery metal in the US for the fast-growing electric vehicle market.

Rio Tinto's 22-year relationship with Black Swan State Theatre Company has come to an end, as it was announced at the theatre company's season launch last night that Fortescue Metals Group will step in as its new principal partner.

Gold miner Saracen Mineral Holdings has produced a record 96,324 ounces for the September quarter, at a lower cost than it anticipated.

AGL Energy subsidiary Perth Energy has secured a $4.5 million three-year contract with the North Metropolitan Health Service, its biggest natural gas supply agreement with a state government agency this year.

Community Arts Network has announced a partnership with The City of Perth to bring ‘Djinda Djinda Kanangoor', a Noongar version of the lullaby ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', to outdoor screens throughout Yagan Square, Perth Cultural Centre and Northbridge Piazza this summer.

Coolbellup-based Nakamura Chocolates is aiming to triple Western Australian sales after a successful entry into the Japanese market.

Independence Group has more than doubled its quarterly profit, as it benefited from surging nickel and gold prices.

Elizabeth Perron has been given the daunting task of continuing her late father's philanthropic legacy. She spoke to Business News about how she is tackling this task.

Business colleagues Jonathan Stewart and Graham Dowland have found two very different ways to make a philanthropic impact.

Helping to establish a $35 million endowment fund for the WA Museum is the latest step in Jenny Allen's philanthropic journey.

Oil Search has posted a 24 per cent drop in quarterly revenue and cut its 2019 production guidance after damage to a mooring system dented output.

The owner of Rebel Sport and Supercheap Auto says like-for-like sales have increased 3.2 per cent so far this financial year, but promotions to attract cautious consumers have hit margins.

The Australian share market has opened slightly higher after a positive lead from overseas.

Big projects to get strike protection

Oil prices fell nearly 1.0 per cent overnight after comments from a US official fed concerns surrounding the US-China trade conflict, adding to worries that a slowing global economy would reduce demand for oil.

Gold eased overnight on improved appetite for riskier assets, while investors awaited further clarity from the US Federal Reserve on more possible interest rate cuts this year.

A summary of the smaller deals from last week, which did not get included in our daily news coverage.

WA Super has announced it will invest $20 million in the WA Impact Fund, as part of its membership of the newly founded Impact Investment Alliance of WA.

The Australian share market has closed flat, boosted by the property sector and dragged by turmoil in tech stocks.

Changing market conditions are driving a shift in strategy for WA greenfields land developers.

Minister for Ports and Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan says a multi-billion dollar Oakajee port and rail project is unnecessary and Sinosteel's Midwest general manger said there were no guarantees the company would push ahead with the project.

The state government has announced the start of works on a $52 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant in Neerabup as part of the expansion of Perth's groundwater replenishment scheme.

Significantly lower grain production is on the cards in Western Australia for the 2019-2020 season, with Rabobank Australia predicting a fall of over one third.

Almost $1.2 billion in dividends flowed to the state government from 11 of its businesses in the year to June 2019, according to their recently published annual reports.

OPINION: Australia is seeking to find a delicate balance in terms of trade with a major customer, China, and its strategic alliance with the US.

SPECIAL REPORT: Most data centre providers are upgrading their facilities in Perth, but one major player has cancelled a planned investment.