Local shares lost their early gains but still ended the day higher for the fifth session in a row.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.2% to 5116 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.2% to 5167 points
- AUD/USD at US 72.19 cents
- Iron Ore at US$40.46 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,077.71 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$36.56 a barrel
The local share market continued its impressive run in the lead-up to Christmas with oil and gas shares providing some much needed energy.
Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) gained 0.6% and 3.1% each, but BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) shares unfortunately retreated 1.8%.
Not one of the major banks ended the day in the black. National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) fell just 0.1% while the worst of the four was Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) which fell 0.8%.
Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) were two of the best-performing shares, rising 9.5% and 5.1%, respectively. Cardno Limited (ASX: CDD) fell 4.8% and was one of the worst performers for the day.
Here are Tuesday's top stories:
- 7 reasons I'd buy Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd shares
- Why the 1-Page Ltd share price jumped today
- 3 top shares to buy for 2016
- Will A2 MILK FPO NZ be the Bellamy's Australia Ltd of 2016?
- Is MYOB Group ltd set to buy Reckon Limited?
- eCargo Holdings Ltd shares soar 200% on Woolworths Limited contract