ASX 200 slammed: 13 shares you should have been watching

The local share market was hammered today with shares dragged lower thanks, in part, to a plunging oil price.

Here's a quick recap:

• S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.8% to 5,464 points
• ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.7% to 5,532 points
• AUD/USD at US 74.76 cents
• Iron Ore at US$79.61 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
• Gold at US$1,192.84 an ounce
• Brent oil at US$47.14 a barrel

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) weighed on the broader market today, despite a strong lift in the price of iron ore. The pair fell 2.6% and 1.2%.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) also acted as a drag, falling 1.3% each, while all four banks ended the session in the red.

Retail business Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) produced a better performance, lifting 4.3%. Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) climbed 4.1% as well, while Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) and Silver Lake Resources Limited. (ASX: SLR) gained 2.9% and 4.9%, respectively.

Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) shares were hammered 16.9%, reversing the strong gain achieved on Friday last week.

A number of energy businesses were among the market's worst performers today. Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) fell 2.6% and Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH) dropped 3%.

Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) fell 3.9% as well, while Greencross Limited (ASX: GXL) dropped 2.9%.

Here are Monday's top stories:

1. Sirtex Medical Limited flags Histone program as multi-billion dollar opportunity
2. How to profit from volatility in the sharemarket today
3. Why beer company Broo Ltd has rocketed 20% today
4. The iron ore price could go to US$90 a tonne
5. Strong auction clearance rates continue
6. Thorn Group Ltd could face government crackdown
7. Why the Metcash Limited share price soared 8% today