The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) ended mostly flat on Friday, as shares of the Reject Shop Ltd (ASX: TRS) plummeted and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) soared.
Here's a quick recap of global markets:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.4%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.1%
- CAC 40 (France): up 0.6%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.1%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.2%
Here are today's key stats:
- ASX 200: up 0.1%
- All Ordinaries (ASX: XAO) (Index: ^AXAO): up 0.1%
- Gold price: up 1.2%
- Copper: up 1%
- WTI Crude Oil: up 1.75%
- Iron ore futures: down 5.4%, according to IG Markets
The ASX opened firmly higher but suffered a significant selloff after news emerged that the US had launched retaliatory missile fire against a Syrian airbase following the atrocities committed by the government earlier this week.
In response, shares of gold miners and other commodity companies rallied, as they are often perceived to be a safe haven in times of uncertainty. Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) were amongst the best performers on the ASX today.
Also leading charge were shares of Caltex Australia Ltd (ASX: CTX), AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) and Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) following a rally in oil prices overnight.
SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK) shares rose more than 2% after the jobs company announced that it had entered an agreement to privatise its Chinese subsidiary, Zhaopin, with the help of private equity backers.
At the other end of the ASX performance table was the Reject Shop. The discount retailer announced this morning that conditions in the second half of its financial year had materially worsened and would see it cut its final dividend payment. Its shares fell as much as 34%.
Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) shares and Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB) shares were also heavily discounted, while Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) shares came off the boil — falling 3%.
Here are today's top stories:
- Why the SEEK Limited share price is rising on its Zhaopin deal
- 2 S&P/ASX 300 growth + dividend share ideas
- 3 dividend shares paying more than 6%
- Are these 3 growth shares an opportunity?
- These 3 ASX shares just stormed to all-time highs: Can they go higher?
- 5 reasons why I like Rural Funds Group at this share price
