The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has finished the day flat, posting a fall of just 0.01%. The market climbed back from early losses after stronger than expected retail sales and trade data numbers were released.
US markets overnight were mixed but also finished the session flat with the Dow Jones down 0.22%, while the S&P 500 closed 0.01% lower.
On the ASX, sectors were mixed with the healthcare sector plunging around 1%; energy, property and consumer staples were also lower. Financials, materials, IT, industrials and utilities all posted gains.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today.
- Sirius Resources N.L. (ASX: SIR) jumped 8.8% to $2.73
- Leighton Holdings Limited (ASX: LEI) climbed 5.7% to $19.24
- Carsales.com Limited (ASX: CRZ) added 4.9% to $11.03
- AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) rose 4.1% to $5.02
- Western Areas Ltd (ASX: WSA) gained 3.9% to $3.46
These stocks were the losers on the day.