This morning's strong gains were eroded as the day grew old, but the ASX still ended the session in the black.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.9% at 5,146 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.9% at 5,171 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.92 cents
- Iron Ore at US$57.21 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,120.08 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$49.79 a barrel
The Australian sharemarket followed the lead set by international equity markets overnight, which rallied on the back of soaring oil prices. This came despite the market's anxiety ahead of the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) were among the biggest winners from the surging oil prices. They rose 2.8% and 2.9% while AWE Limited (ASX: AWE) surged 16.1%.
National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) was the best of the banks. It rose 1.4% compared to gains of between 0.3% and 1.1% for its rivals.
Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) was the ASX 200's top performing stock, lifting 22.7%. Kathmandu Holdings Ltd (ASX: KMD) was the worst, shedding 5.8%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- The Motley Fool's Million Dollar Portfolio will CLOSE to new members tonight! It's not too late to get involved!
- Could SABMiller be mulling a takeover of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX:CCL)?
- OrotonGroup Limited (ASX: ORL) rallied, despite a sharp dive in full-year earnings
- Could this recent market addition be the next Blackmores Limited (ASX:BKL)?
- Large corporate, retail and industry super funds are being left for dead by self-managed super funds (SMSFs).
- Did you own Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) five years ago? Here's what a $10,000 investment then looks like today
