Market Wrap: ASX flat as Westpac Banking Corp soars

The local share market closed marginally higher today.

Here's a quick recap:

• S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) flat at 5,269 points
• ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) flat at 5,304 points
• AUD/USD at US 72.75 cents
• Iron Ore at US$53.74 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
• Gold at US$1,172.07 an ounce
• Brent oil at US$50.22 a barrel

It was something of a rollercoaster ride on the ASX today. After coming out of the gates strongly, the market swung south, recovered and then fell again. However, it ultimately ended in the black (up a mere 1.5 points), led by Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) which gained 3% after returning to normal trade.

National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) also ended the day higher, but Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) fell 0.2%.

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) both ended the day lower. The pair fell 2.6% and 1.2% respectively, ultimately weighing on the market's progress.

EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) was the biggest loser for the day, falling 5.8%. Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) and Arrium Ltd, on the other hand, closed 12.6% and 14.3% higher.

Here are Monday's biggest stories:

1. Why the Westpac share price soared today
2. Why gold stocks are getting smashed today
3. Why you should ignore BHP Billiton's 9.7% dividend yield
4. Is your superannuation fund risking your money?
5. Why the Treasury Wine Estates share price hit a record high today
6. Australian property prices are already falling