After losing 2.4% last week, which marked the worst week of the year for the ASX, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has managed to hold its ground this morning, with the index trading sideways and showing a fall of just 0.05% at midday.
After BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) faced heavy selling last week and ended the week down 5.5% and 5.3% respectively. Today they have managed to keep their heads above water, with the mining giants both registering small gains.
Today's action follows a muted end to the week last Friday on US markets, amid ongoing uncertainty over Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and concerns over what will happen next in the Ukraine.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index at midday today:
- Resolute Mining Limited (ASX: RSG) has gained 5.7% to 74 cents
- Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) has climbed 5.3% to $1.29
- Medusa Mining Limited (ASX: MML) has added 4.9% to $2.56
- Energy World Corporation Ltd. (ASX: EWC) has risen 4.1% to 30.2 cents
- Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) is up 3.9% to 79 cents
These are the five worst performing stocks at midday today:
- Leighton Holdings Limited (ASX: LEI) has slipped 4.9% to $20.32
- Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) has lost 3.3% to $4.33
- SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited-Ord (ASX: SKC) has fallen 2.7% to $3.61
- Ten Network Holdings Limited(ASX: TEN) has declined 2.6% to 30.2 cents
- Telecom Corp of New Zealand (Australia) (ASX: TEL) is down 2.4% to $2.25