The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) finished higher on Monday.
Here's a quick recap of global markets:
- FTSE 100 (UK): up 0.7%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.6%
- CAC 40 (France): up 1.1%
- Dow Jones (USA): up 0.3%
- NASDAQ (USA): up 0.4%
Here are today's key stats:
- ASX 200: up 0.5%
- All Ordinaries: up 0.5%
- Australian dollar (A$) (AUDUSD): 74.13 cents
- Gold price: down 0.1%
- Copper: down 0.2%
- WTI Crude Oil: up 2%
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX WBC) shares finished the day around 0.7% higher following the release of its half-year financial results. The bank revealed a 3% rise in cash profit with a return on equity of 14%.
Also in focus were shares of Fairfax Media Limited (ASX: FXJ). Despite its editorial staff going on strike, the company's shares ended more than 2% higher after news of a takeover proposal from private equity group TPG.
Other media shares also rallied following rising expectations that the government will lower or remove its media ownership laws and broadcasting fees. Shares of embattled television business Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX: TEN) rallied as much as 40% before ending the day 20% higher. Meanwhile, Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) and Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY) shares ended 5% higher.
Weighing on the market's return were shares of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ), whose shares went ex-dividend today.
The Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) share price plunged 9.5% following sweeping profit downgrades, while Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) shares also came off the boil, falling 4.7%.
Here are today's top stories:
