AAP

Qantas Airways has signalled a double-digit increase in capacity across its group of airlines after posting a fourfold lift in first half net profit led by its mainline operations.

Solid earnings from computer maker Dell helped lift US stock markets Wednesday and as traders also welcomed an upbeat economic assessment from the Federal Reserve.

Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust has bought 10 Bunnings Warehouses and three properties to be developed for $241.7 million.

The Australian dollar has opened higher this morning, as weaker than expected US economic data saw the greenback lose value.

Barnett lays down the law on Oakajee – The Fin; Wesfarmers a suitor for Burrup Fertilisers – The Aus; Oswal tries to rescue shipping company – The Fin; Aspen men lose Margaret River project - The Fin; London law behemoth scoops up Perth firm – The West

The Australian dollar ended the local session weaker and back below parity with the US dollar after Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would not alter the proposed mining tax on super profits.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the federal government's mining tax is still the "most hopeless piece of public policy" despite BHP Billiton announcing a record half-yearly profit.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett should drop compulsory acquisition of land for a gas hub after a court ruling cleared the way for a negotiated deal, the Kimberley Land Council says.

Australian Workers Union boss Paul Howes is "out of touch" and trying to recreate the "glory days" of the union movement in his attack on Rio Tinto, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.

The Australian sharemarket was flat on Wednesday with investors taking profits after BHP Billiton announced a massive profit.

Cameron Mansell, the man accused of murdering Perth millionaire Craig Puddy, has fired his legal team for the second time.

The expected pace of economic growth over the next three to nine months has increased for the first time in nine months, according to a survey.

Qantas Airways says it will increase the use of wide-bodied aircraft and pour an additional 15 per cent capacity on the key business routes between Perth and Australia's east coast capitals.

Skilled job vacancies fell by 1.2 per cent in February compared to a month earlier, while over the year Western Australia was the only state to record an increase, national data shows.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to make any changes to Labor's planned mining tax, despite Treasury figures showing the modified version will collect $60 billion less in revenue.

Westfield Group has reported a $1.1 billion profit for the year to December 2010, compared with a loss of $457.8 million in the prior corresponding period, the Sydney-based group said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Australian sharemarket has opened lower following negative leads from offshore trading as Wall Street finished lower on all major indices.

BHP Billiton has reported net profit of $US10.524 billion ($A10.51 billion) in the first half of financial year 2011, and says it is confident of the outlook for commodities as emerging markets continue to drive growth.

US stocks slipped on Tuesday as investors mulled mixed signals on the economy, including a disappointing retail sales report and stronger-than-expected growth in manufacturing activity in the New York region.

The Australian dollar has weakened this morning on expectations that China may soon tighten policy to rein in inflation.

Rewards Group rescue hit by last minute hitch – The West; Mining tax to fall $60bn short – The Fin; Howes declares war on Rio Tinto – The Aus; Soaring nickel price fails to prevent Mincor loss – The West; APP takes reins at Pilbara's Gap Ridge – The West

The Australian dollar ended the session slightly lower, but got some support after the release of the central bank's minutes of its February board meeting.

Aspiring tungsten producer Hazelwood Resources says its deposit in Western Australia will begin production in 2013.

The federal government has dismissed suggestions wireless technology is a threat to the national broadband network as Telstra plans to boost mobile internet speeds.

The Australian share market finished flat after trading in a tight range throughout the session, with the materials sector edging marginally higher but financial stocks losing ground.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says an agreement over a $30 billion gas hub north of Broome is in reach after a Federal Court ruling removed a "spoiler element" from negotiations.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is the target of an aggressive Australian Workers' Union push for dominance of the aluminium and glass industries.

Engineering services firm Cardno has reported a record first half net profit but has predicted a weaker second half due to a lower workload on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Forge Group says it's targeting annual revenue of $500 million, after reporting a 43 per cent rise in first half net profit.

BC Iron says a media report claiming its second largest shareholder, Regent Pacific, had sealed a takeover deal with the iron ore miner before it was announced to the market is "highly misleading".

Foster's Group says cooler, wet weather has hurt the beer market in Australia, but a fall in beer sales is expected to moderate in the second half.

Brambles posted a six per cent rise in first half profit that missed market expectations, prompting the shares to dip in early trade.