Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) indices finished higher on Friday.
Here's a short recap of the Australian market:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.51% to 6,121.40
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.50% to 6,229.80
- AUD/USD at US 80 cents
- Gold at US$1,344.25 an ounce
- Brent Oil at US$69.85 a barrel
The ASX indices have risen further today, with the ASX200 passing 6,100 and the All Ordinaries passing 6,200.
The biggest rise in the ASX200 today came from Nextdc Ltd (ASX: NXT) which rose by 9.93% on news of a potential takeover offer.
The next biggest gain in the ASX200 came from James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX), the share price rose by 6.77% on a positive quarterly update.
Resource-related companies Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX: MND) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) both had good days, rising by 4.98% and 4.27% respectively.
To round off the top performers, the Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) share price travelled 4.47% higher.
The Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price finished the day 0.82% up after writing off a subsidiary, incurring a $273 million impairment.
Lithium miner shares are having a terrible time in 2018 so far. Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) fell by 5.6% and 3.17% respectively.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX: SYR) joined its resource peers in the red, dropping by 4.34%.
Finally, Medibank Private Limited (ASX: MPL) fell 3.27% today after Bill Shorten criticised the insurer earlier.
Here are some of today's top stories:
- Citigroup claims it's time to sell your Wesfarmers Ltd shares
- Abacus Property Group to spend $142 million on 2 properties
- Telstra Corporation Ltd announces $273 million impairment
- Top broker tipping Rio Tinto to beat market expectations on earnings and dividend
- Ardent Leisure Group shares fall on business update
