Australian shares are sharply lower after the Trump administration slapped sanctions on $US48 billion worth of Chinese imports, and imposed restrictions on Chinese investment.
Oil prices have dropped after investors took profits after this week's rally and as US stock markets fell, but losses were limited by the continuing efforts of OPEC and its allies to curb supplies.
US stocks have fallen about 1 per cent on the growing threat of a global trade war as the Trump administration plans to impose import tariffs on China and as technology stocks stayed under pressure
The growing spectre of online shopping has not deterred one of the country's largest retailers from investing in its bricks-and-mortar assets, with David Jones opening its fifth Western Australian store today as part of the final chapter of Mandurah Forum's $350 million redevelopment.
The private group behind ambitious plans for a $1 billion-plus World Trade Centre development in Perth has prepared updated designs focused on the Megamart site it already owns in Northbridge.
Western Australian unemployment was up 0.2 per cent in February to be 6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, while Australia-wide employment grew by a record amount.
Most of the 63 Myer stores around Australia are likely to be at break-even and the veteran retailer must shrink to survive, a new analyst's report says.
Iron ore prices will fall more than 10 per cent to be about $US60 per tonne next year, partly driven by increased scrap metal availability, according to Citigroup Asia commodities strategist Tracy Liao.
Australis Oil & Gas has tapped investors for $39.2 million, with the proceeds to allow for drilling to commence at the Tuscaloosa marine shale later this year.
Global payroll and tax compliance specialist activpayroll has set up an Australian headquarters in Subiaco to grow client capacity, as its Perth-based subcontractor, Proactiv Payroll, takes on new ventures.
Western Australia has continued its trend of marginal population growth, with the state registering growth of 0.9 per cent for the 12 months to September, as interstate migration remains in negative territory.
Building materials company Brickworks said today its Western Australian division has returned to profit following a major restructuring, one month after competitor Boral said it recorded a break-even result in WA.
The Australian share market is trading lower after US stocks dropped in late trade following the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike for the year.
The Australian dollar has rallied almost one US cent, after the US Federal Reserve raised its interest rate for the first time this year and paved the way for more rate hikes later this year.
Oil prices hit a six-week high on Wednesday, closing in on a three-year peak set in late January, on a surprise decline in US inventories, strong compliance on OPEC production cuts, and persistent
Gold rose more than one per cent from a three-week low after the US Federal Reserve increased interest rates and forecast at least two more hikes for 2018, falling short of the three more increases
Plans to use the Barossa gas field in the Timor Sea as backfill for the Darwin LNG plant received a boost today, with the project getting a tick of approval from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority.
Two new business groups plan to strengthen Western Australia's economic links with innovative overseas economies, with the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce and WA Singapore Business Connect opening Perth chapters.
The tourism industry has thrown its support behind the government's new two-year plan to increase visitation to Western Australia, but says the plan needs to be backed with the right leadership, skills and financial resources.
Cost pressures are starting to return to the mining sector, according to BHP Billiton WA Iron Ore boss Edgar Basto, as the company continues preliminary work with potential contractors ahead of a decision on the South Flank development in the next few months.
The environmental watchdog has recommended approval of the first stage of China-backed Kimberley Agricultural Investment's Carlton Plain project, which comprises a 3,000-hectare irrigated development north-west of Kununarra.
Construction group Pindan said today it planned to make full payments to all sub-contractors by the end of this week, after co-founders George Allingame and David Pringle complete the sale of sever
Online job advertising is growing at its fastest rate in 2.5 years in Western Australia, with the latest figures showing a 14.8 per cent surge in ads over the past 12 months.
Internet plans over the national broadband network are getting cheaper, a new report says, despite recent criticism from retailers that their NBN costs are too high.
