The local share market spent much of the day in the red today but managed to rise into the black in the dying moments of the session. That came after the Reserve Bank of Australia elected to keep interest rates on hold at 1.5%.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.1% to 5,484 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.1% to 5,569 points
- AUD/USD at US 76.67 cents
- Iron Ore at US$55.86 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,310.30 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$50.19 a barrel
Henderson Group plc (ASX: HGG) and Bradken Limited (ASX: BKN) were two of the biggest movers today. Henderson Group's shares soared 11.6% after it announced a merger with a US rival, while Bradken's shares soared 31.7% following a takeover offer.
Whitehaven Coal Limited (ASX: WHC) was also a big mover, rising 5%, with FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL) jumping 6%.
At the other end of the spectrum was Select Harvests Limited (ASX: SHV) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), which fell 2.4% and 3%, respectively.
Shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) fell 0.3% and Westfield Corp Ltd (ASX: WFD) dropped 1%. Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) fell 1.2%.
Here are Tuesday's top stories:
- Take a look at what just a 10% per annum return can do for your SMSF
- Down 30%, are TPG Telecom Ltd shares a buy?
- Fund manager Henderson Group plc in US$6 billion merger – Shares set to soar
- 4 shares under $1 with huge potential
- Why you should avoid Estia Health Ltd shares
- Does MNF Group Ltd's deal with Telstra Corporation Ltd make it a buy?
