Tim Treadgold

IT might not feel like it, but there are early signs of boom conditions forming in some parts of the state’s mining industry, with two sectors in particular benefiting from events in the markets for commodities, labour, and capital equipment.

ANALYSIS: Balancing WA’s trade needs with Australia’s broader geopolitical and strategic interests is a challenge for leaders in this state.

The desire to bash the banks is understandable when some of their past behaviour is considered; but before the bashing goes too far, it is important critics know what it would mean to damage an important part of the Australian economy at a delicate point in the global economic cycle.

If utilities such as Water Corporation can’t fulfill their primary responsibility to the public, maybe an alternative ownership model would be a better option.

The short selling of shares in some of Australia’s biggest retail stocks suggests investors are concerned about the sector’s future.

ANALYSIS: Politics and business never mix well, which is something the state government is about to discover with news that former Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls is eyeing a return to his party’s top job.

Problems with electricity supply and pricing on the eastern seaboard could provide an opportunity for WA.

Gold’s rising stocks and role in the post-boom recovery will make this year’s Diggers & Dealers the most promising for many years. 

High-end residential property prices in Perth have weakened considerably since the iron ore construction boom ended and oil prices collapsed, although these two negative events are slowly slipping from the headlines and being replaced by positive changes.

Changes to superannuation policy played a role in the significantly reduced majority for the Turnbull government at the July 2 election, but if you look a little deeper you find something far more interesting – the government can’t afford its retirement policies, and some retired people can’t afford to live.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mining stocks are again leading the way in shareholder returns, but this time it’s not the iron ore players doing the business.

Wesfarmers remains confident its move into the British home improvement scene will be a winner, despite recent criticism.

Amid a few bright spots on the earnings front, the WA economy’s rebound is being thwarted by still-low global prices for iron ore.

Kwinana’s future as an important centre of value-added mineral processing is being threatened by a potential double closure of major projects – the BHP Billiton-run nickel refinery and the Alcoa of Australia-operated alumina refinery.

Pressure is mounting on local media players amid growing digital disruption. 

A stubbornly low market price and the growing focus on renewables have WA’s fledgling uranium sector on the ropes.

Tipping future residential property prices is tricky, but in Western Australia there is a potential technique that is so obvious it’s a surprise no-one has used it before – linking property to the state’s biggest industry, resources.

The clock is ticking for the leaders of some of WA’s biggest businesses, beset by low growth and a sluggish outlook.

ANALYSIS: WA’s resources-focused business community is eagerly awaiting the next round of figures for iron ore production costs.

Does BHP Billiton really want to expand its loss-making Nickel West division, or is it engaging in a strange game of promoting an expansion plan of the Western Australian business in order to restart the sales process that collapsed last year?

A three-pronged global financial storm is brewing, and it’s a sure bet resources sales to China won’t bail WA out this time.

ANALYSIS: The recent state budget did little to convince voters the Barnett government is on the right track ahead of the 2017 election.

The return of gold mining as Western Australia’s fastest-growing industry is becoming more interesting, with a near-record price for the metal in Australian dollars triggering increased exploration and a pair of possible mine developments in the Wheatbelt.

A tough business environment is bringing an increasing number of corporate malfeasance cases to the fore.

The worst might be over for many of the state’s mining services businesses, as they seek to bounce back from the effects of the slowdown in resources project development.

How do you budget for an iron ore boom that no-one believes will survive more than a few months?

Businesses operating in WA’s cyclical resources sector need to deal prudently with debt, or trouble is just around the corner.

ANALYSIS: Worldwide demand for lithium is rising and more than 20 companies in WA are on board for the ride.

Spot the difference in these two statements: one in two households rely on pensions to make ends meet; and one in two reliant on public purse’.

TPG’s half-year profit statement suggests where a company is headquartered may be less important than the value for money of its offering.

ANALYSIS: WA potash hopefuls may have the backing of some high-profile local mining entrepreneurs, but startup costs and a worldwide product glut are major barriers. 

If money, careers and future investment in Western Australia were not being jeopardised, it would be amusing to watch some of Australian biggest companies adopt a management policy best described as ‘run and hide’.