Litigation funder IMF Bentham has launched a $US200 million investment vehicle to expand its business in the US.

Some encouraging company earnings reports, a positive lead from US markets and higher commodity prices have helped lift the Australian share market by about 0.7 per cent to its best close in a month.

Environmental services companies could be among the beneficiaries of an ongoing shift in China’s economy from manufacturing to services, according to University of Western Australia lecturer Yanrui Wu.

Tight economic conditions have led the volunteering sector to adapt its practices as demand for services continues to grow.

Life sciences company esense - Lab has enjoyed steady gains on its first day of trading on the ASX, after raising $3.5 million from investors in an initial public offering.

Indigenous contractor Guma ICRG has won two contract extensions for work on Fortescue Metals Group’s rail line and roads infrastructure in the Pilbara for an undisclosed sum.

OPINION: Despite some widely publicised problems in the past year, Woolworths is emerging stronger in the supermarket face-off with major rival, Coles. 

Incoming Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott, who will formally take his new job late this year, says the business will continue to thrive on the back of its diversity across markets.

A commercial property across the road from Westfield Carousel has sold for $1.6 million, as developers continue to seek sites around the City of Canning’s planned new town centre.

The Nationals WA have preferenced the Greens ahead of their Liberal alliance partners on the ticket for two upper house regions in next month's state election, including Liberal Agriculture & Food Minister Mark Lewis.

KordaMentha managing partner Cliff Rocke has taken on a new role, joining the Perth office of the advisory firm that is handling the collapse of residential construction group Builton.

Woodside Petroleum executive vice-president Lawrie Tremaine is jumping ship to become Origin Energy's new chief financial officer.

Perth-based private utility Water West has received Economic Regulation Authority approval to roll out water recycling at a new land development near Pinjarra.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has entered into an agreement to purchase the Bundarra gold project from Bligh Resources in an all-scrip deal worth $8.5 million.

The Australian share market has lost earlier gains to close lower amid a sell-off in the healthcare sector and weakness from Asian markets.

Life sciences company eSense-Lab has enjoyed steady gains on its first day of trading on the ASX, after raising $3.5 million from investors in an initial public offering.

Building products manufacturer Boral has maintained a solid half-year profit despite cutting 100 jobs in Western Australia last year, following a plunge in sales volumes and earnings at its Boral Bricks WA business.

Buyers at Finbar Group’s $400 million Civic Heart project are being refunded their deposits, after the state’s largest apartment developer announced it would scale back the size of the tower because of uncertainty regarding planning rules in South Perth.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is lifting some of its mortgage rates as it tries to rein in stubbornly high investor lending growth and keep on the right side of the regulator.

Origin Energy has flagged a hit to profitability a day ahead of its half-year earnings, announcing it will take a $1.9 billion impairment charge against the value of some of its major assets, includign the Australia Pacific LNG project and its Browse Basin gas fields.

Perth-based NRW Holdings has won a $40 million contract to provide its services to Macmahon Holdings, which is operating at Newcrest Mining’s Telfer gold mine in the Pilbara.

Mike Fitzpatrick has resigned after a 10-year stint as AFL chairman and will be replaced by fellow commissioner Richard Goyder.

Seven West Media appears to have put a value of $16.9 million on The Sunday Times newspaper and Perth Now web site, as the publisher and broadcaster posted a sharp drop in first-half net profit and dividends and siught to direct attention away from its ongoing battle with CEO Tim Worner's former lov...

Wesfarmers is considering a spin-out of its profitable Officeworks business, which contributed to strong earnings growth for the Perth-based conglomerate in the first-half alongside Bunnings Australia and New Zealand and Kmart.

The Australia share market has risen sharply, with gains broad based on the back of solid first-half corporate earnings reports. At 1031 AEDT on Wednesday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 0.85 per cent, with financial, resources and real estate shares leading the way.