The S&P / ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has added 0.2% today, ending at 4,787.8, the highest close since May 2, 2011. Overnight, US markets rallied with the Dow Jones up 0.5% and the S&P 500 up 0.4%, while the UK's FTSE 100 index ended flat.
The Australian dollar has fallen slightly against the US dollar, currently buying around 105.4 US cents.
These three stocks were the best performers in the ASX 200, rising more than 5%.
St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM) climbed 12.4%, to close at $1.63. The company reconfirmed its guidance for 2013 financial year, with an annualised production rate by June this year of between 371,000 and 401,00 ounces per annum, from its five mines. St Barbara reported 92,000 ounces were produced in the December quarter, at an average cash cost of $845 an ounce.
Another gold miner, Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) added 5.7%, ending at $1.49, after the miner announced that it had produced over 107,000 ounces of gold in the December 2012 quarter from its three mines, at a cash cost of $867 an ounce. The company maintained its 2013 financial year guidance for production of 415,000 ounces at an average cash cost of $830 an ounce.
Lynas Corporation Limited (ASX: LYC) rose 5.5% to end at 67.5 cents. The company recently announced that it successfully commissioned parts of it rare earths plant in Malaysia. Ramp up to full commercial production will take place over the next three months. News yesterday that China's exports of rare earth minerals fell by 3.5% over 2011, and well short of the 2012 export quota, may have driven Lynas' shares higher.
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The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. Motley Fool writer/analyst Mike King doesn't own shares in any companies mentioned.
