The ASX finished in the red again today, weighed down by the nation's biggest miners.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.2% to 5335 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.2% to 5374 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.18 cents
- Iron Ore at US$51.50 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,167.56 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$46.80 a barrel
The local market failed to fire after the release of weaker-than-expected consumer price numbers which have increased expectations for an official interest rate cut.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) was one of the worst performing blue-chips, falling 2.3% for the day. Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also dropped 1.4%, while Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) were down 4.4% and 2.2%.
National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) also ended the day 2.2% lower after it reported its full-year results this morning.
Some of the country's high-yield dividend stocks did produce some meaningful gains, however. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) ended 1.1% higher and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) gained 0.5%.
Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX) was the top performer, jumping 9.7%. BC Iron Limited (ASX: BCI) was at the other end of the spectrum, falling 8.6%.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
- Profit soars for National Australia Bank on mixed outlook
- Odds of RBA interest rate cut SOAR after soft inflation numbers
- Why the Capitol Health Ltd share price is crashing today
- Is Dick Smith Holdings Ltd too cheap to ignore after shock downgrade?
- Is it time to buy Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd?
- Sirtex Medical Limited forecasts another big year of sales