At midday the ASX has nothing to show for the morning's trade with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) basically flat, recording a decline of just 0.02%.
The subdued performance follows a flat close on the local bourse yesterday and after a relatively quiet session for US stocks overnight where the major indices gave up some ground after posting record highs earlier in the week.
The lack of significant data out today is contributing to the directionless trade. Amongst the market news is new car sales data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed volumes remained steady in April; the Australian dollar is buying just under US94 cents and copper has hit a 2-month high.
Sectors are mixed with energy the biggest mover on the upside and property the biggest on the downside.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index at midday today:
- Spark Infrastructure Group (ASX: SKI) has jumped 5% to $1.88
- Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) has rallied 4.6% to $1.35
- Village Roadshow Ltd (ASX: VRL) has climbed 4.6% to $7.68
- Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX: TEN) has gained 3.7% to 28 cents
- Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) has added 3.6% to $4.89
These are the five worst performing stocks at midday today:
