The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) is down 0.5% at lunchtime today, despite another positive lead from Wall Street overnight where gains in US stocks sent the Dow Jones to an all-time record high.
The US market was influenced by tapering actions from the Federal Reserve which gave investors' confidence that the US economy is continuing to strengthen, this was despite data showing very lacklustre US GDP growth of just 0.1% annualised.
The positive mood on US markets has failed to inspire the ASX today with investors instead focussed on the falling iron ore price and a Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) reading from the Australian Industry Group which reported a sharp fall of 3.1 points to 44.8 in April.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index at midday today:
- Transfield Services Limited (ASX: TSE) has jumped 3.1% to 98.5 cents
- QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) has risen 2.2% to $11.84
- Mount Gibson Iron Limited (ASX: MGX) has climbed 2% to 74.5 cents
- Sirius Resources N.L. (ASX: SIR) has added 1.9% to $2.74
- Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ) has gained 1.7% to 99.7 cents
These are the five worst performing stocks at midday today:
