Special Reports

FEATURE: It has been a difficult year for many of WA’s listed entities, but investors are backing the performance of most of the state’s top executives.

FEATURE: The state’s biotechnology sector is heating up as investors look for the next wave of investment opportunities amid waning resources investment.

FEATURE: The trucking and logistics sector is investing in new growth projects around Perth’s two major freight hubs, despite the economic slowdown in WA.

It will probably take Gina Rinehart a few years to catch Bill Gates in the race to be the world’s richest person, but it is easy to see how she might overhaul the Microsoft founder’s swag of $75 billion.

Property executives were the big movers in this year’s Wealth Creators list, while the resources slowdown put the hurt on mining services directors’ fortunes.

Choosing healthier food choices and finding the time to exercise can have significant effects on workplace productivity, as two Perth business executives discovered.

The corporate sector has a social responsibility to implement health and wellness strategies, according to speakers at this week’s Success and Leadership breakfast.

Rare earths explorer Northern Minerals struck a 50 per cent offtake agreement with Japanese trading giant Sumitomo Corporation last December – but it was nine months before the deal was announced. The timeframe is indicative of the measured approach taken by the Japanese, according to Northern Minerals managing director George Bauk.

Chinese interest in Australian property and resources may be in the spotlight, but Japan still has a significant foothold, particularly in WA.

Things are looking up for WA grain producers, with a bumper crop on the way, but the outlook remains mixed for the state’s live animal exporters.

Business News' annual export review charts the state’s reliance on a handful of major companies and commodities, despite the emergence of new players.

Improving the flow of medical data is at the forefront of three technology projects aiming to reduce health-care demand.

Keeping people out of hospital can be as simple as a Skype session with a general practitioner, but confusion over who pays for what is thwarting adoption of such technology.

The past year has been tough for listed WA companies looking to raise funds but a lift in activity during the past three months has the industry cautiously optimistic.

A $93 million private merger funding for City Farmers’ expansion sets the pattern for WA companies in a tight capital investment market.

The sale of 16 private businesses worth an estimated $500 million helped to sustain activity in what was otherwise a depressed market for mergers and acquisitions in the September quarter in Western Australia.

Strong population growth and changes to retail regulations are driving shopping centre sales.

ALDI’s imminent arrival in WA and continuing competition between the retail majors has sidelined many retail developers who just can’t pay the big prices Coles and Woolworths will shell out for new sites.

The arrival of a clutch of new international brands in coming years has the potential to rejuvenate the city retail sector, which has been hit by softer spending and the extended shopping hours at suburban centres.

Property group Hawaiian is building on its investment in the community to turn its neighbourhood shopping centres into meeting places.

OF all the listed companies looking to join the ranks of Western Australian iron ore producers, Iron Ore Holdings stands apart.

Adapting to change is often considered one of the keys to business success, and yacht maker turned sculptor and builder, Glenn Swarbrick, has it in spades.

Ten years ago this month, one of the state’s most debated infrastructure projects opened at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Business News analyses its impact.

Andrew Vlahov has built a business on basketball, but now he has much bigger things on his mind than shooting hoops.

A Perth property consultant has secured a major contract in China, indicating ample opportunities for WA service providers willing to embrace the Chinese way of doing business.

WA could attract more international students if it marketed itself as an education destination.

A moderation in the growth of China's economy has sharpened the focus on trade opportunities beyond the mining and resources sector.

A local health fund's new image is a result of an entire company overhaul.

Two of the oldest names in Perth's advertising industry have disappeared as increasing competition from national firms puts pressure on local players.

LAST week the most ubiquitous brand launched an advertising campaign in which it proferred a newfound dedication to health awareness.

Investors who kept their money in Australia's top blue chip stocks enjoyed great returns in the 2012-13 financial year.

WA's early online entrepreneurs have proved resilient with the $30 million sale this year of part of Perth-based eBooks Corporation showing isolation is no barrier to online success.