A late turnaround fell just short today. Australian shares closed marginally lower but did trim a lot of their earlier losses late in the session.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.1% to 4976 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.1% to 5025 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.92 cents
- Iron Ore at US$45.52 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,155.31 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$34.37 a barrel
The ASX was unable to back-up Thursday's remarkable rally with another gain, despite the best efforts of the country's biggest miners.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares all rose between 3.2% and 5.5%, adding to yesterday's impressive gains.
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) also rose 2.2% and 3%, while Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) ended the day 0.4% higher.
Unfortunately, their efforts were offset by falls across the banking sector. All four major banks ended the day lower, although National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) was the worst. Its shares fell 1.5%.
WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED (ASX: WHC) was one of the worst performers for the day, losing 7.9%.
On the other hand, baby formula producers Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) and a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) both soared between 10.3% and 14.9%.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Here's why the Bellamy's Australia Ltd share price exploded today
- REA Group Limited posts 28% profit lift
- Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia beats guidance – should you buy?
- 2 solid dividend shares I like with an above average yield
- WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED powers to $7.8m profit
- Why Adacel Technologies Limited shares are soaring higher today
- Why the BHP Billiton Limited share price has surged 12%