It was another rollercoaster ride for Australian investors today, but the market ultimately ended higher.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.6% to 5005 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.6% to 5056 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.03 cents
- Iron Ore at US$41.92 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,114.65 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$35.31 a barrel
Oil continued its miraculous recovery today, surging above US$35 a barrel from roughly US$27 a barrel recently. It was enough to send energy shares soaring higher while the ASX got over its early jitters as well.
Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) was one of the top performers from the energy sector, rising 6%. Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) also rose 5.9% and 7.5%, while BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) ended the day 1.7% higher.
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) skyrocketed 13.8%, making it one of the best-performing shares on the market, while National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) was the best from the banks, lifting 2.1%.
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) didn't fare so well, slipping 2.9%. Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) didn't either, falling 10.3%.
Here are Friday's best stories:
- Here's why Shine Corporate Ltd shares fell 75% this morning
- Is BHP Billiton Limited set to announce a capital raising?
- Is Rio Tinto Limited's dividend in doubt?
- Is Cochlear Limited one of the best blue-chip shares to own?
- Why Freelancer Ltd shares are soaring today
- Here's why I like Catapult Group International Ltd shares
- Why the Intueri share price has crashed today