The Australian share market defied expectations today, lifting for the eighth consecutive session despite early signs that it would lose some of its recent gains.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.5% to 5458 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.5% to 5538 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.94 cents
- Iron Ore at US$58.42 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,329.93 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$47.80 a barrel
Beginning on a sour note, the energy sector dragged on the market today. BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) dropped 0.7% while Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) shares lost 2.8% and Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA) shed 8.7%.
The gold producers were mixed, as well. Independence Group NL (ASX: IGO) lost 2.1%, but Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) gained 1.3%.
The banks continued to rally today, led by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC). The pair rose 0.4% and 0.6%, while all four major banks ended the day in the black.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) also rose 0.5%, while Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) ended the day 2% higher.
Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) was one of the top performers for the session, rising 3.6%.
Here are Monday's top stories:
- 3 ASX stocks set to benefit from Pokémon Go
- One Dining Boom stock you should buy and two to avoid
- 3 of the best ASX small caps with juicy dividends
- Is Telstra Corporation Ltd's 4% dividend sustainable?
- 3 top shares to buy for your grandkids
- Here's why Lynas Corporation Limited shares surged 20% today
- 3 top dividend stocks for financial year 2017
