Best and worst stocks on the ASX today

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) climbed 1.21% today following a strong lead on US markets overnight. Gains were broad based with the rally led by the mining sector, with the energy, health care and materials sectors also posting solid gains.

Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today.

• Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) gained 7.6% to $8.89
• Newcrest Mining (ASX: NCM) climbed 7% to $9.13
• Atlas Iron (ASX: AGO) rose 6.95% to $1.00
• Mount Gibson Iron (ASX: MGX) added 6.45% to 99 cents
• Alumina (ASX: AWC) closed 5.3% higher to $1.28

These stocks were the losers on the day.

• Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) dropped 4% to 57 cents
• Resolute Mining (ASX: RSG) fell 3.5% to 54 cents
• Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR) slipped 3.4% to 57 cents
• Lynas Corporation (ASX: LYC) closed down 3% to 32 cents
• PanAust (ASX: PNA) lost 2.4% to $1.80