The local stock market pared back some of its earlier losses, but still ended the day lower.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.4% to 5,099 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.4% to 5,157 points
- AUD/USD at US 70.48 cents
- Iron Ore at US$48.24 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,092.35 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$47.32 a barrel
Shareholders of BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) were given some reprieve today with the stock ending the day 0.7% higher. It's fallen sharply in the days gone by as a result of falling commodity prices and a tragedy at one of its dams in Brazil on Friday.
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also ended 0.8% higher while Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) rose 4.6%.
The gold miners were well and truly back on top today as well after the gold price rose overnight. Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) closed 5.1% higher and Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) was the top performing stock for the day, rising 10.3%.
But the banks continued to weigh on the ASX. Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) were the worst offenders, falling 1.3% and 1.1%.
Pacific Brands Limited (ASX: PGN) was the worst performing stock from the ASX 200, shedding 5.3%.
Here are Tuesday's top stories:
