Tim Treadgold

Analysis: The franchising model could become the latest victim of the pressure being heaped on the retail sector.

The state, which is not a big steel exporter but produces some of the key raw materials, could suffer collateral damage in a full trade war.

Investors are warming to the concept of gold mining in the Wheatbelt, with share prices of three active players moving higher in recent weeks.

A couple of good years for Kerry Stokes and his Seven Group could be an indicator of the WA economy’s return to health.

International investors are rotating their funds into commodities such as industrial metals, which could be good news for WA, and Kalgoorlie in particular.

If WA’s wine industry isn’t exactly booming today, it could be a different story soon.

ANALYSIS: Investors are taking note of Wesfarmers’ fraught foray into the UK hardware market.

The rise of robo investment advice will prompt those with long memories to recall what happened last time computer algorithms were used to manage investments.

Dark kitchens and online aggregators are not terms most people associate with a restaurant, but the invasion of the internet into the catering industry is bringing radical change – and not everyone will be happy.

The political fallout from China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, and the Communist government’s role in business, will pose threats and challenges for WA.

A number of asset classes are facing the likelihood of a bust this year, with WA watchers’ eyes trained on the lithium sector.

It may still be early days, but Amazon’s arrival in Australia has yet to damage the numbers for some high-profile traditional retailers.

Bitcoin may be enjoying a golden run at the moment, but established economists are dismissive of its value.

Safety and privacy concerns are top of mind for many of those surveyed by Morgan Stanley on the global accommodation provider.

The Chinese government's environmental crackdown could provide a boost for the beleagured Sino Iron project, notwithstanding a recent adverse court ruling.

China's great environmental clean-up is starting to produce knock-on effects in Western Australia, with none more interesting than the ‘quality clash’ in the iron ore sector.

Even those with only a passing interest in the resources sector would recognise there’s something unusual about an iron ore miner talking up a natural gas project and an oilman talking it down.

Cuts to Chinese production and inaction by some big mining companies could present an opportunity for WA resources players.

OPINION: Lithium and gold are among the minerals proving there’s life for resources outside the north-west.

OPINION: With one eye on re-election and afraid of making tough calls, politicians have ignored a number of crises that will profoundly affect their constituents.

ANALYSIS: New retail arrivals continue to pile pressure on established operators, with Wesfarmers feeling the pain on several fronts.

OPINION: With a touch of irony, the central bank governor fires a warning shot in mortgage-stressed WA that rates will rise.

ANALYSIS: A forecast global surge into electric cars and buyers’ growing preference for the state’s hard rock lithium ore is putting a rocket into the sector.

OPINION: The government’s budgetary outlook is in stark contrast to the prevailing trend on the Business News BN30 stock market index.

ANALYSIS: If a full-blown mortgage crisis were to hit Australia, it will have been brought about by mismanagement at all stages of the home-loan process.

OPINION: As technology increasingly cuts out the middleman, the WA government’s investment in facilities at Perth Airport may have short-lived benefits.

ANALYSIS: Recent numbers from iron ore miner Atlas Iron suggest it may be moving from survival mode to revival.

OPINION: The failure of Australia’s energy policy has led to the ludicrous situation where Victoria is considering importing gas from the nation’s overseas competitors.

ANALYSIS: Positive news on employment and among some key commodities appears to mark a positive trend for the state’s economy, and Business News' BN30 stock index backs that up.

OPINION: A bit of bagging from Donald Trump has coincided with the digital rise of a traditional US publishing business.

ANALYSIS: Two local lithium players will be hoping their early move into the sector justifies the hefty interest rates on their loans.

OPINION: The boom in lithium demand is driving growth at one of the state’s quiet achievers, Mineral Resources.