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Instant cameras, motorised skateboards and electronic fitness products are all on the wishlist as Australian shoppers prepare to splurge more this Christmas.

The Australian share market has opened more than half a percentage point higher, as investors flock back to the banks.

Hancock's $162m dividend

The major US indexes were virtually unchanged at the close of a quiet trading day with gains in healthcare and consumer stocks after data showed US modest economic growth.

This week REIWA members reported a marginal increase in the weekly sales to record 637 sales from 632 sales last week.

Two local public sector leaders have taken top honours at a Leadership WA ceremony last night, which acknowledge those who have shown exceptional levels of leadership and community contribution.

The Australian dollar has fallen from its one month low, weighed down by weaker commodity prices.

Oil prices have finished a bit higher after a US inventory report showed increased petroleum supply, but a separate report showed fewer drilling rigs in service.

Gold prices have dropped, hovering just above the lowest level in nearly six years after the US dollar rose on the back of strong American economic data.

Three workers have been killed in two separate incidents across Perth today, including two men crushed by a concrete slab at a construction worksite in East Perth.

The state government remains cautiously optimistic about its proposed sale of the Utah Point bulk handling facility in Port Hedland, following the introduction to parliament today of legislation to allow transition of the asset to the private sector.

Satterley Property Group is planning to build up to 420 homes in Forrestfield, after buying the old Western Power site on Hawtin Road from the state government for $30 million.

Australia's big four banks have pulled the Australian share market more than half a percentage point lower, losing ground for a second straight session.

The Barnett years will be remembered for many things, but economic responsibility is not among them.

Rod Leonard has stepped down from his position as managing director of engineerig company Lycopodium, with existing board member Peter De Leo stepping into the role.

A technology company led by former Alinta Energy boss Bob Browning is seeking an ASX listing through a reverse takeover of Perth-based Cove Resources.

Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney has disagreed with Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens' view that big companies have not reduced hurdle rates for investment decisions amid falling interest rates, in an address at this morning's Business News Success & Leadership breakfast.

A consortium of Australian and international investment funds has bought the NSW-based TransGrid "poles and wire" network in a deal worth more than $10 billion.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia will hand back a massive $80 million to customers after discovering it failed to apply fee waivers and other benefits to which they were entitled.

Evolution Mining says it's close to completing its protracted acquisition of smaller rival Phoenix Gold.

Silver Lake Resources is selling off its non-core assets in the Murchison region, with Metals X acquiring its Comet gold project and Musgrave Minerals agreeing to buy a large portion of its Cue project.

The Australian share market has opened flat, with the resources sector offsetting losses in the banks.

A jump in petroleum-linked shares has helped lift US stocks after the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border sparked a rally in the oil market.

Woodside faces costs battle on WA gas projects

The Australian dollar is higher as rising tension between Russia and Turkey and disappointing US economic data drive the greenback lower.

Gold has risen one per cent, recovering from near six-year lows as news that Turkish fighter jets had shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border sparked a rush to safety among investors, weighing on the US dollar.

Global oil prices have surged higher after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border, sparking concerns about rising tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.

Australia has a way to go if it is to match the prime minister's rhetoric on technology and innovation.

Treasury has cut Australia's potential economic growth forecast, while predicting a return to a budget surplus will take longer than previously forecast.

The Australian share market has closed nearly 1 per cent lower, dragged back by the major banks and continued weakness in the resources sector due to lower commodity prices.

Lithium hopeful Pilbara Minerals has raised $12 million in an oversubscribed placement to fund ongoing work at its flagship Pilgangoora project east of Port Hedland.

Chinese investors appear increasingly bullish about opportunities in Western Australia's energy sector, following revelations a division of China's biggest offshore oil and gas producer, CNOOC, was a significant influence in one of the state's biggest battery storage trials.