Professional services and flexible office providers have provided a boost to momentum in Perth's CBD office market, with the Property Council of Australia's vacancy rate continuing to decline and top-quality office accommodation becoming scarce.
Oil prices have jumped about two per cent on media reports that scientists were developing a vaccine for the fast-spreading coronavirus, even as world health experts said treatments have not yet been found.
Gold rose on Wednesday on bargain hunting, reversing course from a two-week low touched earlier, as investors latched on to the metal's overall uptrend on the back of a low interest rate environment globally and lingering uncertainties.
Finance group Argonaut has won a Supreme Court ruling against Perth company director Russell Moran, who could owe in excess of $30 million after taking out a high-interest loan six years ago to buy
AMP has been ordered to pay a $5.2 million penalty after the Federal Court found the bank had failed to take reasonable steps to ensure its financial planners complied with the best interests duty.
Australian stocks have finished higher for a second day but could not sustain a move above 7,000 as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in China neared 500.
Biotech company Zelira Therapeutics has received commitments to raise around $4.6 million from a share placement, while rent.com.au is planning an underwritten $2.9 million rights issue.
Rio Tinto and Telstra have announced shorter payment terms for small and medium Australian businesses, whereby SMEs will be paid within 20 days of a valid invoice receipt.
Shares in CIMIC Group are up 8 per cent, a day after the international contractor named a new chief executive and announced a $1 billion full-year loss related to its decision to exit the Middle East.
Mining services provider Perenti Global says it is considering buying Downer EDI's mining servicing business, but dismissed a report of a $700 million offer.
Investor services group Computershare will buy registered agent provider Corporate Creations for $142.9 million in a move to improve its reach in the US.
Oil prices edged lower overnight as fears that energy demand would take a long-term hit from the coronavirus outbreak offset prospects for more cuts in crude production from OPEC and its allies.
Gold slid more than 1 per cent overnight as Chinese steps to mitigate the economic impact from the coronavirus epidemic drove some investors away from safe havens and back into riskier assets.
Perth-based engineering group Clough has secured a design and construction contract with ASX-listed Australian Bauxite for an aluminium fluoride production plant in NSW.
Australian shares have closed higher as China took steps to prop up its economy and global manufacturing data showed factory activity rebounding in January.
Construction has started on an $18.7 million redevelopment of Wellington Square, with a new playground and a raft of recreational facilities expected to significantly boost the amenity of the eastern end of the CBD.
Fashion accessory retailer Colette by Colette Hayman, which has 15 stores in Western Australia and 126 across the country, has been placed into voluntary administration.
Subiaco's fortunes are on an upswing after years plagued by high retail vacancies, high-profile hospitality closures and an uncertain future with the exit of AFL football to the Burswood Peninsula.
A coastal village featuring a hospitality precinct and a new jetty will be the centrepiece of a $425 million housing estate in Port Kennedy, which will be developed over the next decade.
Gage Roads Brewing Company shares have lost a bit of fizz with the WA company's stock plunging to a more than two-year low after it flagged a shortfall in sales was likely contribute to a full-year guidance miss.
