Australian shares soared higher again today, ending the session above 5,400 points following an upbeat night for equity markets around the world.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 1.1% to 5431 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 1% to 5518 points
- AUD/USD at US 76.35 cents
- Iron Ore at US$56.34 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,334.10 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$47.24 a barrel
From the banks, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) shares lifted 1.3% while National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) rose 1.7%.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) also ended the day 2% higher while Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) gained 2.6%.
Shares of the gold miners came off the boil today. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) fell 1.9% and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) shed 4.2%.
Meanwhile, Whitehaven Coal Limited (ASX: WHC) fell 9.1% and Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) dropped 6.3%.
It was a better day for TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TM) and Japara Healthcare Ltd (ASX: JHC), however. The pair rose 2.5% and 5%, respectively.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Is the Lithium Boom set to become the Lithium Bust?
- Is Retail Food Group Limited the next Domino's Pizza?
- See The Difference $100 Per Month Can Make to Your Wealth Over 30 Years
- 3 reasons why I'd buy Ramsay Health Care Limited shares today
- Is the share price rally in blue-chip mining shares over?
- Is Tower Limited (Australia) about to get bought out by IAG or Suncorp?