For the second session in a row, local shares have ended slightly higher to continue the Santa rally.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) flat at 5109 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) flat at 5157 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.62 cents
- Iron Ore at US$40.10 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,068.65 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$36.14 a barrel
The ASX 200 finished the session a mere 2 points higher today, making it the fourth consecutive close in the black. It was also the second session in a row that it has fought back from a considerable decline to record a modest gain.
Australia's blue chip shares produced mixed results today. BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) rose 1.5%, while Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) gained 1%, while three of the major banks also closed higher.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) rose 1.2%, the most of any of the banks, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) was the only exception, falling 0.1% for the day.
Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) and Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) both closed higher as well, up 8.8% and 7.8%, respectively. Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) and Sigma Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: SIP) weren't so lucky, their shares falling 4.5% and 5.4%.
Here are today's top stories:
- 4 unloved shares to buy in 2016
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- Is Crown Resorts Ltd a takeover target?
- Westfield Corp Ltd plots route to significant long-term earnings growth
- Costco's gains spell trouble for Woolworths Limited investors
- Is this the end of BHP Billiton Limited's dividend policy?
- Buy like Buffett in 2016 with these 3 blue-chip ASX shares