The local share market rose today, although it did lose some of its steam as the session wore on.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.4% 5671 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.3% to 5726 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.48 cents
- Iron Ore at US$81.13 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,205.44 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$55.32 a barrel
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) released its half-yearly operational review this morning. Although it cut its full-year production guidance for copper, the shares still rallied 3.3%. Its rival Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also rose 3.8%.
The banks were strong, as well. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) rose 1.1% and 0.7%, respectively.
Elsewhere, Sandfire Resources NL (ASX: SFR) and Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY) rose 5.1% each. Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) rose 1.3% as well.
Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) didn't fare so well, sliding another 6.1%. Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX) also fell another 2.9% and Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) shed 3.1%.
Henderson Group plc (ASX: HGG) also shed 3.1% after it declared an extraordinary dividend for its shareholders this morning.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
