Local shares followed Wall Street lower today, despite the best efforts of retail pair Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) which both recorded strong gains for the day.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.4% to 5541 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.4% to 5631 points
- AUD/USD at US 76.34 cents
- Iron Ore at US$61.70 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,326.25 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$49.07 a barrel
Woolworths shares soared 3.9% after exiting a trading halt imposed yesterday. It announced the sale of its Home Timber & Hardware business while it also released its earnings this morning.
Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS), the company buying HT&H, also gained 6.3%, while Wesfarmers shares gained 2.4%.
Elsewhere, Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) gained another 7.9% and Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) recovered 19.8%. Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) rose 7.5%. And iSentia Group Ltd (ASX: ISD) lifted another 5%.
Village Roadshow Ltd (ASX: VRL) wasn't so lucky, losing 9.3%. Myob Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) fell 10.1% as well while Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL), which dropped 2.4%.
The gold miners fell sharply after the gold price dropped overnight, falling to US$1,326 an ounce. Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) fell 10.3%, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) lost 4.8% and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) fell 6.1%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- Woolworths Limited shares rocket despite profit crash
- Why the Amcor Limited share price is going gangbusters today
- Is Slater & Gordon Limited about to make an incredible comeback?
- Is Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd a buy after today's results?
- Is Retail Food Group Limited heading back to $7 after today's record result?
- Here's why Fantastic Holdings Limited shares have skyrocketed today
- Why Shares of Woolworths Are Soaring Today
