Local shares regained some ground late in the session but still ended the day lower.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.3% to 5166 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.3% to 5225 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.87 cents
- Iron Ore at US$57.50 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,251.40 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$40.90 a barrel
A number of blue chip shares led the ASX lower today, while the energy sector has also taken a hit after oil prices fell for a second consecutive session. Oil is still trading for more than US$40 a barrel, but some investors are becoming sceptical that these price levels can be sustained.
All four of the major banks ended the day lower, falling at least 0.5%. But Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) was the worst of the bunch, losing 1.3%.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares also fell 0.6%, while Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) closed 1.5% lower for the day.
Although its shares spent most of the day in the red, BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) ended the session 0.4% higher. Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) weren't so lucky, shedding 3% and 3.2%, respectively.
Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA) also lost 6.7%, while Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VAH) gained 8.6%.
Here are Monday's top stories:
- 3 tech stars you might never want to sell
- 4 shares I think have explosive growth potential
- Here's why your SMSF is probably going backwards
- Up 2,262%: Is it too late to buy shares of St Barbara Ltd?
- Slater & Gordon Limited shares climb 13%: Is it time to buy?
- A two-tier property market is developing
- 3 under-the-radar small caps with growth potential
