The S&P / ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has soared 2.1% to 5,202.2, following the lead of US markets overnight. The Dow Jones climbed 1.8%, while the S&P 500 rose 1.7%, following the US Federal Reserve's announcement that it would cut back its easing program by $10 billion a month to a still impressive $75 billion.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today.
- Caltex Australia (ASX: CTX) gained 13.1% to $19.12
- Fleetwood Corporation (ASX: FWD) climbed 10% to $2.65
- BlueScope Steel (ASX: BSL) rose 8.5% to $5.60
- Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR) added 7.5% to 43 cents
- Sirius Resources (ASX: SIR) closed up 6.8% to $2.12
These stocks were the losers on the day.