Local shares were hit hard today as investors continue to ponder the growing speculation of an interest rate hike in the United States next month. The banks produced mixed results while the miners were slammed.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.6% to 5323 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.6% to 5385 points
- AUD/USD at US 72.06 cents
- Iron Ore at US$56.78 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,255.97 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$48.23 a barrel
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) was among the worst performing blue chips today, alongside its fellow iron ore miner Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO). The pair dropped 3.7% and 3.3%, respectively.
The gold miners were even worse with higher US interest rates threatening to act as a drag on the price of gold. In fact, six of the seven worst performing shares from the ASX 200 today were gold miners.
Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) was slammed 7.5%, while EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) lost 8.9% and 7% as well.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) was the best of the banks, rising 0.9%. National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) was the worst, falling 0.9%.
Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) also lost another 7.1%. JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH), on the other hand, rose 3.4%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- 3 dirt cheap stocks to buy under $5
- ASX gold miners slammed and gold price could be all downhill from here
- Is XERO FPO NZX a blue-chip share of tomorrow?
- Why JB Hi-Fi Limited shares are jumping on The Good Guys deal
- Stuck on 1.75% interest? Take a look at these ASX shares
- Why Transurban Group is one of Australia's best blue-chip shares