US stocks have posted big gains for the second straight session as strong American economic data extended a global rally that began with a surge in beaten-down Chinese equities.
US oil prices have surged more than 10 per cent, climbing back above $US40 ($A56.25) a barrel after strong American economic growth data lifted confidence about the world's biggest economy and petroleum user.
Gold has eased, and is headed for its biggest weekly rout since March, as upbeat US growth and jobs data drive up stocks and the US dollar, though uncertainty over the timing of a Federal Reserve rate rise held losses in check.
News, current affairs, reality shows and live sport.That's what you can expect to dominate free-to-air TV as the networks battle for a dwindling advertising dollar.
Australian Finance Group has beaten its forecasts and lodged a net profit of $19.3 million, with the Perth-based company solidifying its status as the nation's biggest mortgage company.
Watpac Civil & Mining has been awarded $89.3 million in contracts in the gold mining and road infrastructure sectors, with the largest being with Chinese-owned company Hanking Gold Mining.
Local IT firm Empired has decided against declaring a dividend payout to its shareholders, despite reporting a 135 per cent surge in net profit for the 2015 financial year.
Land developer Peet has banked a solid lift in revenue on the back of strong performance by its operators in Victoria, resulting in a 27 per cent rise in net profit.
If ever Western Australia is to have another slogan on vehicle number plates, then the favourite has to be a return to the short-lived ‘Golden State' catchphrase.
Local mining services companies Ausdrill, Emeco Holdings and Lycopodium have posted net losses for the financial year, with lower activity in the resources sector weighing on their pipelines of available work.
Diversified firm Transfield Services expects underlying earnings to remain flat but without a repeat of the one-off costs that hit this year's bottom line.
The Australian share market is almost 1.5 per cent higher, following Wall Street's three per cent gains, a sign traders are shrugging off recent volatility.
Gold prices slipped two per cent on Wednesday as the dollar gained and US stocks advanced, while investors kept a close eye on China's efforts to support its economy.
More apartment developments are coming to the Burswood Peninsula, with the Town of Victoria Park formally adopting guidelines to pave the way for the first stage of Belmont Park, while Finbar Group
Diversified contractor SRG has completed its $2.3 million acquisition of Perth-based commercial maintenance and repairs firm CCM Group Australia, which it says will add to its capability in Western Australia.
The rejuvenation of Fremantle's dilapidated and neglected east end has been given a boost, with Defence Housing Australia lodging plans for a 166-apartment project on Queen Victoria Street.
Iron ore miner BC Iron has fallen into the red with a net loss of $158.5 million for the financial year, on the back of impairments and falling commodity prices, and has declared no dividend payout.
LandCorp has released the fourth major development plot at its Claremont on the Park urban infill project, with the site to yield a building of up to six storeys with a minimum of 119 apartments.
A senior Woodside Petroleum executive has urged Perth companies to be less secretive, saying recent deals it struck with local businesses had occurred only after learning of their world-class expertise by chance.
Reigning 40under40 winner Angus Turner has welcomed an investment of almost $4 million into the Lions Eye Institute and pledged to use the funds to implement a new mobile eye healthcare service for use in the state's most remote regions.
Kerry Stokes' Seven Group Holdings fears its earnings could fall 10 per cent in the year ahead, with trading conditions in the resources sector still challenging.
