ASX 200 explodes higher: 16 shares you should have been watching

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) helped the ASX 200 to an unexpected surge.

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The local share market surged higher today, more than reversing the damage inflicted upon it during yesterday's rout. Although there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding what a Trump presidency will look like, investors had a boost in confidence from international markets.

Here's a quick recap:

  • S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 3.3% to 5328 points
  • ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 3.3% to 5408 points
  • AUD/USD at US 76.62 cents
  • Iron Ore at US$70.98 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
  • Gold at US$1,282.85 an ounce
  • Brent oil at US$46.31 a barrel

Today's gains begun with the miners following a solid night for iron ore. BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) gained 8.2% each. Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) rocketed 10.7% and 8.1%, respectively.

The banks generated huge gains as well. Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) were the best of the big four. They rose 4.4% and 4.2%, although all four ended the session at least 3.3% higher.

CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) rose 5.5% and Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) gained 2%.

Among the market's best for the day were Aconex Ltd (ASX: ACX), QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) and Computershare Limited (ASX: CPU). The trio rose between 11.8% and 13.7%.

The vast majority of shares on the ASX rose today – many significantly so. But there were some stocks that didn't join in the gains.

The obvious ones were the gold miners after gold prices slumped. Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) fell 9.4%, St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) dropped 8.8% and EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) shed 6.3%.

Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) and Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) suffered too. They fell 3% and 1.8%, respectively.

Here are Thursday's top stories:

  1. 5 ways to prepare for a volatile share market
  2. 5 shares I'd buy with $5,000 after the US election
  3. 4 ASX shares doing the Trump Jump today
  4. Shares of BHP Billiton Limited SURGE as iron ore tops US$70
  5. Why Transurban Group and Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd are getting slammed today
  6. The consequences of Trump winning the US election
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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