The share market's five-day winning streak came to a halt today, although the main index remained firmly above the 5300 point mark.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.2% to 5359 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.2% to 5423 points
- AUD/USD at US 73.39 cents
- Iron Ore at US$55.57 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,272.68 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$47.43 a barrel
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) was the main drag on the ASX today after the shares went ex-dividend. Westpac shares dropped 3.6%, while Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) shares also fell 0.5%.
Shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) traded mostly flat, but fellow oil producers Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) gained 2.4% and 5.4%.
The gold miners were strong, too. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) all lifted between 4.1% and 4.7%.
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) and Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) rose strongly, up 10.5% and 6.7%. But AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) wasn't so lucky, falling 5.3%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- XERO FPO NZX reports full-year results: "We have only just begun"
- Why these 4 retailers could be sitting ducks for Amazon.com
- How to become a millionaire with $10,000 on the ASX
- The 3 Peculiar Traits of Successful Investors
- AMP Limited crashes: Will its insurance business go up for sale?
- Aristocrat Leisure Limited share price soars: Here's why
- Fund manager reveals 3 shares it's buying and 3 shares it's selling