Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) indices finished higher on Monday.
Here's a short recap of the Australian market:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) higher 0.32% to 6,185.00
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) higher 0.28% to 6,293.90
- AUD/USD at US 72 cents
- Gold at US$1,195.79 an ounce
- Brent Oil at US$78.26 a barrel
The best-performing ASX 200 share today was TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM), the telco's share price rose by 3.8% today with the telco due to report tomorrow.
It was a terrible day for aged care providers after the Federal Government announced that it would launch a Royal Commission into the sector with increasing reports of poor care. All the major ASX-listed operators saw heavy falls today. The Estia Health Ltd (ASX: EHE) share price fell 18.6%, the Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG) share price plunged 17.1% and the Japara Healthcare Ltd (ASX: JHC) share price dropped 17%.
Retirement village operator Aveo Group (ASX: AOG) also fell by 7.2% after there was speculation that segment of the retirement market could also be included in the inquiry spotlight.
The share price of natural beauty business BWX Limited (ASX: BWX) declined 2.2% after Bain Capital said that it wouldn't go ahead with a takeover offer.
Shares of Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) climbed 0.5% after it was reported the bank is introducing additional lending checks.
Finally, one of the largest gains in the ASX 200 today was lithium miner Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS), it charged up 3.3% after announcing it is on track with its first shipment of spodumene concentrate from its Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project.
Here are some of today's top stories:
