Gold rose more than 1 per cent on Thursday as the dollar retreated and Wall Street paused its recent rally as dismal US trade data overshadowed slightly upbeat labor market numbers and optimism about an economic rebound.
The local bourse has gained for the fourth day this week, rising to its highest level since March 6 on a wave of optimism about the country's economic recovery.
ASX-listed Waterco is purchasing Kreepy Krauly distributor Autopool for $3.08 million, as the company seeks to expand its range of pool equipment products.
A $12.5 million submarine rescue facility to be built in Henderson will give Western Australia a central role in emergency rescues across the region; meanwhile a decision has still not been made on the best location for mid-life submarine maintenance docking.
Legend Mining has launched a $20 million share placement to progress its nickel-copper project in the Fraser Range, while fellow Western Australian explorers Auroch Minerals and Xantippe Resources have also announced capital raisings.
The federal government has launched a new $25,000 HomeBuilder grant, to go towards new builds or renovating an existing home, as the state government prepares to announce its own package in coming days.
Contractor Georgiou Group will build a $25 million pipeline for the long-term supply of water into Denmark, while ADCO Constructions has secured an $8.8 million contract for early redevelopment works at the Geraldton Health Campus.
Subiaco-based Peninsula Energy is raising $40.3 million under a heavily discounted rights issue to help repay its existing term debt and advance its flagship uranium project in the US.
Western Australians will be able to travel to the Kimberley, Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku and parts of the East Pilbara tomorrow after the federal government agreed to lift the state's biosecurity restrictions, two weeks earlier than the anticipated deadline.
Western Australia's property developers hope the physical isolation that has helped mitigate the worst of COVID-19 in this state will also insulate the local apartment market from a contagion of a different kind.
Oil ended slightly higher overnight but remained below the session's early highs of above $US40 a barrel, the highest since March, retreating as doubts emerged about the timing and scale of a potential extension to the pact between OPEC and its allies to cut crude supplies.
Gold fell more than 2 per cent overnight as risk sentiment improved on hopes of a faster recovery from a coronavirus-driven economic slump, with investors largely overlooking civil unrest in the United States.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia chief executive Richard Burt has resigned to take up a new role running the diversified business interests of RWWA director Bob Fowler.
More than 200,000 jobs could be lost in the charities sector nationwide if financial supports, including JobKeeper, end in October, a new report has found.
The Australian share market has rallied to its highest level since March 6, with gains across nearly every sector on a wave of optimism about Australia's economic prospects.
Broadspectrum has secured a $117 million contract for work on maritime facilities along the Western Australian coast, as part of a wider state government initiative to support small businesses.
The federal government has refused an exemption to its live export ban that would have allowed 56,000 sheep to be transported to the Middle East, and they will now be sent to abattoirs in Western Australia.
Aboriginal-owned business Mallard Deemy has secured $11 million in contracts with Fortescue Metals Group for work at the Eliwana iron ore mine in the Pilbara.
Upgrades to the emergency department at Peel Health Campus will resume later this month, with the works awarded to Canning Vale-based contractor Devlyn Construction.
Subiaco-based Perseus Mining is set to gain control of a potential new gold project near its Sissingue mine after announcing a friendly takeover bid for Exore Resources in a scrip deal worth around $60 million.
The 2020 Perth Festival has proved to be the most successful in the event's history, with $5.98 million earned at the box office, despite some programming cancelled due to COVID-19 and lower audience numbers.
Shipbuilder Austal has appointed chief operating officer Patrick Gregg to lead the company next year, replacing current chief executive David Singleton, whose contract is due to end in December.
Western Australia's internal economy grew 0.9 per cent in the March quarter even as Australia as a whole contracted 0.3 per cent, but those numbers mostly predate the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
