Local shares ended Wednesday's session higher despite a brief dip shortly after the market opened. The banks were a key driving force behind the rebound, with Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) rising 1.5%.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.4% to 5227 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.3% to 5326 points
- AUD/USD at US 74.87 cents
- Iron Ore at US$56.09 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,319.93 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$47.23 a barrel
A number of blue chips ended today's session higher. All four banks recorded gains for the day, while Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) gained 1.2% and 2.6%, respectively.
NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF) rose 4%, with Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) also up 1.6%.
On the other hand, BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) didn't fare so well after iron ore and oil prices fell sharply overnight. They lost 1% and 1.3%.
CYBG PLC CDI 1:1 (ASX: CYB) also ended the day deep in the red, shedding 5.2%.
BigAir Group Limited (ASX: BGL) shares rocketed 23.8% higher following a takeover approach by Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC). That said, Superloop's own shares retreated 7.9% on the news.
Hills Ltd (ASX: HIL) shares also retreated after yesterday's stunning 52% gain. They shed 29% during today's session, with Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) also closing 5.7% and 4.4% lower, respectively.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
