Local shares fell away on Friday, but still ended the week considerably higher.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.8% to 4952 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.8% to 5008 points
- AUD/USD at US 71.05 cents
- Iron Ore at US$47.14 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,227.01 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$33.89 a barrel
The ASX took a breather today, following the lead set by international markets overnight. Oil prices dropped and gold rallied again, while there were also a number of disappointing earnings results for investors to process.
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) was one of those companies with disappointing earnings, its shares losing 4.2%. Other companies in the energy sector such as BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) also shed 2% and 2.3%.
Meanwhile, Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) fell 0.8% after its interim earnings and Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) retreated 13.8% after its own earnings results.
All four of Australia's major banks ended the day in the red, although National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) caused the most damage, sliding 2.1%. Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares also lost 2.2%.
Once again, Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) was one of the top-performing shares on the market, rising 9.1%. Unfortunately, shares of Arrium Ltd (ASX: ARI) slipped another 42.3%.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Santos Ltd shares plunge 8% as loss hits $2.7 billion
- Medibank Private Ltd rises on 58% profit growth – is it a buy?
- Why the Bellamy's Australia Ltd share price crashed today
- 5 facts you need to know about Pro Medicus Limited today
- What happens to Gold when share investors turn bullish again?
- Why the 3P Learning Ltd share price has crashed today