Here's what happened on the ASX today

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) and Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) helped buoy the S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO) (ASX:XJO).

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Local shares continued to rise today, taking the lead set by Wall Street overnight.

Here's a quick recap:

  • S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.4% to 4964 points
  • ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.4% to 5042 points
  • AUD/USD at US 76.28 cents
  • Iron Ore at US$54.75 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
  • Gold at US$1,228.65 an ounce
  • Brent oil at US$40.12 a barrel

The banks produced a mixed set of results once again, but the iron ore miners and energy producers helped to buoy the market.

While junior iron ore miner Arrium Ltd (ASX: ARI) entered into voluntary administration, industry behemoth BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) managed to lift 1.6%.

Meanwhile, energy giants Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) gained 1.8% and 3.5%. Senex Energy Ltd (ASX: SXY) also managed to extend yesterday's rebound after three days of heavy losses. Its shares gained 10.2%.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) was the best of the banks, rising 0.6%, while CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) also rose 1.1%.

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) was one of the worst performers for the day, slipping 4.2%.

Here are Thursday's top stories:

  1. Arrium Ltd: The writing was on the wall five years ago
  2. Why the Bank of Queensland Limited share price is crumbling today
  3. 4 hot ASX shares you might want to buy today
  4. It's official: Arrium Ltd enters voluntary administration
  5. Oil rally sends ASX shares rocketing today
  6. Is the Blackmores Limited share price headed over $200 again?
Motley Fool contributor Ryan Newman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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