The local share market closed higher, although it did pare back its gains as the day progressed.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.5% to 4864 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.4% to 4917 points
- AUD/USD at US 68.96 cents
- Iron Ore at US$41.61 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,102.29 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$27.79 a barrel
The ASX 200 soared in early trade as investors defied another volatile session on Wall Street overnight. However, that optimism soon faded with investors perhaps fearing further volatility in the days, and maybe even weeks ahead.
The major banks acted as a heavy drag on the market today, but Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) did the most damage. They fell 1.7% and 1% respectively.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) also closed marginally lower despite spending most of the day in the black, although Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) managed to rise 1.6%.
Elsewhere, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) provided plenty of support, rising 2.6%, while Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) gained 2.8%.
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) were amongst the market's biggest gainers, jumping 6.7% and 5.5% respectively. Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA) wasn't so lucky, sliding 9%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- Could BHP Billiton shares really be worth just $6.30?
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and BHP Billiton Limited at new lows on dividend worries
- Could CSL Limited shares be worth $111?
- Why Woodside Petroleum Limited shares could sink further
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group predicted to slash dividend
- Markets plunge and global fears rise
