The ASX closed lower for the day, dragged down by some of the country's biggest companies.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.5% to 5239 points and 2.1% lower for the week
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.4% to 5288 points
- AUD/USD at US 70.98 cents
- Iron Ore at US$49.65 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,147.65 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$48.66 a barrel
The local share market closed lower in each of its sessions this week, compounded by today's 0.5% drop despite flat trading on Wall Street overnight.
Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) were again behind the fall as investors continued to weigh into the woeful quarterly update from Woolworths yesterday. The pair dropped 2.4% and 1.9% while Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) also fell 3.4%.
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) was another bank that fell heavily today, losing 1.7%. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) also shed 1.8% and 1.9%, respectively.
Sundance Energy Australia Ltd (ASX: SEA) was the worst performer for the day, losing 11.8%. Asciano Ltd (ASX: AIO) fared much better, gaining 8.5%.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Here's why ANZ Bank shares are plunging
- Qube takes 20% of Asciano to block takeover bid
- Could Woolworths' share plunge tempt Warren Buffett?
- Should you buy Blackmores Limited shares today?
- 4 scarily cheap income stocks to buy this Halloween
- Is Woolworths a bargain?
- 3 ways to smash the interest on your savings account
