The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has posted a gain of 0.46% today following US markets higher. Overnight the Dow Jones added 0.25%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.38%, following positive company earnings reports and data showing the US economy continued to strengthen.
Trading was subdued on the local bourse with volumes down post the Easter long-weekend. Investors had little local company or economic data to provide direction today, with many investors waiting on tomorrow's inflation data.
Sectors were mostly higher with the exception of consumer discretionary and materials which registered falls.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today:
- Skilled Group Ltd. (ASX: SKE) rose 4.7% to $2.80
- Karoon Gas Australia Limited (ASX: KAR) gained 4.4% to $2.85
- AWE Limited (ASX: AWE) added 4.3% to $1.57
- Cover-More Group Ltd Ltd (ASX: CVO) closed up 3.4% to $2.15
- Drillsearch Energy Limited (ASX: DLS) climbed 3.3% to $1.71
These stocks were the losers on the day: