Latest Headlines

Australian stocks have started the local session on the back foot, following weakness on international markets.

The benchmark US oil price has sunk to a five-month low as traders anticipate a key report will show US supplies are continuing to pile up.

US stocks have ended mostly lower as analysts pointed to the need for markets to absorb recent gains after a number of records in the past couple of weeks.

The Australian dollar has bounced back after its fall following the Reserve Bank's monetary policy statement expressing concern about the currency's high value.

A recent report on R&D spending in Australia sheds interesting light on the perennial debate over this country's competitive future.

While not-for-profit directors are generally supportive of the federal national disability insurance scheme, there is concern that the policy does not consider the long-term impact of the intended changes.

Tighter federal and state budgets are going to make economic reform harder in the future, a report says.

Western Australia's International Centre of Radio Astronomy Research is amongst the global research institutions to secure detailed design work on the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project, though the lion's share of the pre-construction work is set to be conducted overseas.

Followers of Fortescue Metals Group and its mercurial chairman, Andrew Forrest, have been on a roller-coaster ride during the past five years; but if the current bout of optimism is well-founded, FMG could be heading back to its record price of $12 a share reached in 2008, and Mr Forrest heading for a $12 billion fortune.

Australian shares have delivered a strong finish on Melbourne Cup day, with the big miners leading the way.

A fourth consecutive month of growth in the market capitalisation of Western Australia's top 100 listed companies is a sign of renewed business confidence within the WA economy, according to market analysts.

Former federal police chief Mick Keelty has begun his investigation into 1,375 missing votes from the Western Australian Senate ballot.

Atrum Coal has completed an $18.5 million equity raising as it looks to accelerate development at its Groundhog anthracite project in Canada.

The ethical bar for ministers may now be set too high, Premier Colin Barnett says, after treasurer Troy Buswell came under pressure for helping to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

Mirabela Nickel's problems have taken a turn for the worse after one of its two customers flagged that it would seek to immediately exit a concentrate sales agreement on the basis of a force majeure, or unavoidable accident, at its nickel smelter.

Mining services group Ausdrill has warned shareholders it is battling weaker than expected market conditions, entering a trading halt as it prepares to release an update on its outlook for the 2014 financial year.

Australia's jobless rate is expected to drift higher, despite the recent pickup in economic data and improvement in consumer and business confidence.

The Australian stock market has opened higher following a solid lead from the US and ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's monthly interest rate decision.

Panoramic Resources has made plans to raise $25.12 million through a placement and Share Purchase Plan to fast-track its nickel exploration at its Savannah and Lanfranchi projects.

Oil prices have risen slightly as traders hunted bargains after a series of losses while the market kept an eye on abundant US crude-oil supplies.

US stocks have ended a quiet day higher as investors look ahead to some important economic reports later in the week, including the monthly jobs report.

The Australian dollar has rallied above 95 US cents on the back of strong retail and house prices data.

Perth is well behind world-leading cities when it comes to supporting tech start-ups.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has announced the chairs-elect tasked with managing the state's newly amalgamated port authorities.

The state government has proposed folding in the entire City of Vincent to a bigger City of Perth but Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi says the move is a "cop out" driven by populist politics.

Mix 94.5 has reclaimed the top slot in Perth's radio ratings, gaining a 1.3 per cent increase in listeners to claim 13.5 per cent of the audience.

The big gains in Perth residential property prices in the first half of 2013 have come to a screeching halt over the past few months, but the adjustment in Perth pales next to the big falls in the Pilbara.

Treasurer Troy Buswell has been accused of abusing his power by intervening to get his son an appointment for a driving test.

Across-the-board commitment is vital if state Labor is to achieve much-needed reform.

The share market drifted lower as a record annual profit from Westpac and strong retail sales figures failed to provide impetus.

Apache Energy is set to farm-in to the Canning Basin, signing a $25 million agreement to earn a stake in oil and gas exploration permits held jointly by Buru Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation.

MZI Resources has completed a $5 million equity raising, with international private equity group Resource Capital Fund boosting its stake in MZI to just less than 15 per cent.