Global equity prices have slipped for a third straight day due to growing nervousness about US central bank policy, even as Wall Street eked out a modest gain.
The price of gold has retreated from the three-week high set in the previous session, after a rise in the US dollar on the back of strong economic data.
The Australian dollar has held ground just above its Wednesday close but remains in a tight range against the greenback ahead of the release of local retail trade.
Oil prices have jumped more than three per cent, with US crude futures returning to above $US40 a barrel, after a larger-than-expected petrol draw offset a surprise build in crude stockpiles in the No 1 oil consumer.
Banks reject Turnbull demandThe big banks have rejected as unaffordable Turnbull government demands that they pass on Tuesday's interest rate cut in full but have agreed t
Perth's office vacancy rate has risen to nearly 22 per cent, but the Property Council of Australia says that figure could mark an end to commercial landlords' pain due to the supply cycle having peaked.
The employment market for geoscientists improved in the three months to June, in a sign that the resources industry might have reached the bottom in this cycle, although more than a third are still getting less than their desired amount of work.
Formal opening of the new Perth Children's Hospital has been delayed following the discovery of asbestos in the roof of the facility, with no updated completion time disclosed.
Qantas and Tourism Australia have signed a $20 million, three-year deal to promote the nation to the world, marking a big step in repairing the pair's strained relationship.
The environmental watchdog has recommended rejection of a new uranium mine in the Goldfields after the proposal failed to meet one of nine strict factors.
Rio Tinto says it will spend $US338 million developing its Silvergrass iron ore mine in the Pilbara, on the same day it disclosed a slump in underlying earnings and dividend payments.
Kerry Stokes' diversified media, mining equipment and energy group, Seven Group Holdings, has swung to an annual profit and is cautiously confident that trading conditions will stabilise this year.
Weak US economic data and disappointing auto sales numbers drove Wall Street down, further dragging on global equity prices after the approval of a fiscal stimulus package by Japan's cabinet failed to cheer markets.
Gold has risen to a four-week high as European and US shares fell and the US dollar hit its lowest in more than a month after last week's soft US growth data dented expectations for a near-term interest rate rise.
The price of US oil has fallen below $US40 a barrel for the first time since April as persistent worries of both a crude and refined fuel glut and a slide in US equities offset an early boost from a weak US dollar.
Profits ‘not from rate rigging'Westpac Banking Corp has claimed a senior trader's ‘‘$12 million buck'' boast about a profit had nothing to do with manipul
A new food and beverage precinct will open early next year on St Georges Terrace, with Mirvac Group today unveiling its vision for a redeveloped Allendale Square.
Spotless Group has secured a long-term extension to its management contract at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre after committing to invest $50 million and take full responsibility for the PCEC's core assets.
The Australian share market has closed lower amid concerns over the big banks' net interest margins, following the Commonwealth Bank's decision to lift deposit rates and not pass on in full the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate cut.
The Barnett government and the Labor opposition have put forward their competing plans to better protect subcontractors and ensure they are paid for their involvement on government contracts.
