The ASX its making back some of yesterday's losses today with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.4% at lunchtime, following Wall Street's lead where US stocks bounced back over night after the release of positive data on the health of the US economy.
Closer to home, investors have been digesting a profit downgrade and company update from grocery wholesaler Metcash. Sectors are mixed at lunchtime with consumer discretionary, consumer staples and utilities all slightly lower. The materials sector is leading the gainers.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index at midday today:
- Independence Group NL (ASX: IGO) has jumped 6.8% to $4.07
- Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ) has rallied 3.3% to 94.5 cents
- AWE Limited (ASX: AWE) has risen 2.8% to $1.47
- Decmil Group Limited (ASX: DCG) has climbed 2.5% to $2.01
- BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) has gained 2.5% to $6.08
These are the five worst performing stocks at midday today: