The ASX has posted another rise, following US markets higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) finished Thursday's shortened trading week with a gain of 0.52%.
Overnight the Dow Jones rallied 1%, while the S&P 500 added 1.05%, after investors gained confidence that interest rates will remain low following comments by Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen.
In local economic news, data showing business conditions improved appeared to buoy investors' spirits. New car sales offset this, with data showing sales fell in March.
Gold stocks were sold off, while the major banks all gained. All sectors were higher with consumer staples and information technology leading the charge.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today:
- Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) rallied 4.2% to $6.72
- Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL) jumped 4.2% to $1.37
- Pacific Brands Limited (ASX: PBG) added 3.9% to 53.5 cents
- Senex Energy Ltd (ASX: SXY) climbed 3.5% to 74 cents
- Carsales.com Limited (ASX: CRZ) closed up 3.1% to $10.75
These stocks were the losers on the day: