ASX 200 drops: 11 shares you should have been watching

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) was a heavy drag on the market today.

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The local share market closed lower again today, although it did manage to pare back some of its losses as the day wore on. Energy shares acted as a drag on the market, as did the iron ore miners.

Here's a quick recap:

  • S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.3% to 5416 points
  • ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.3% to 5512 points
  • AUD/USD at US 75.40 cents
  • Iron Ore at US$58.97 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
  • Gold at US$1,309.23 an ounce
  • Brent oil at US$47.19 a barrel

Falling commodity prices had a negative impact on the resources sector today.

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) fell particularly hard, losing 2.9%, but Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) lost 1.3% as well.

Meanwhile, Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) fell 1% and 3.2%, respectively.

Most of the gold miners fell also after the spot gold price fell towards US$1,300 an ounce. Silver Lake Resources Limited. (ASX: SLR) lost another 5.3%, while Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) fell 2.3%.

Outside the resources sector, however, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) gained 0.6% and Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) rose 1.9%.

Aconex Limited (ASX: ACX) was the best on the market, rising 7.2%. Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) fell another 2.6%, while Slater & Gordon Limited (ASX: SGH) dropped 13.1%.

Here are Thursday's top stories:

  1. 3 blue chip shares I'd buy with $15,000 today
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  3. ResApp Health Ltd: The Last Company To Report In Earnings Season
  4. Could these be the best 4 blue chips for your portfolio right now?
  5. Top broker slaps $28.50 price target on Australia and New Zealand Banking Group shares
  6. 5 dividend shares I'd buy with $50,000 today
  7. Oil price sinks taking energy shares with it
Motley Fool contributor Ryan Newman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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