The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has posted another gain today, adding 0.62% by the close. The market received positive direction from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) which reported a strong set of first quarter numbers and the release of a National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) survey which showed an improvement in business conditions.
However the positive mood was dulled by selling in Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), after it released an update to the market; as well as a technical glitch that forced the ASX to halt trading for around 30 minutes.
On US markets overnight the Dow Jones added 0.05%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.16% as investors' treaded water and awaited testimony from the new chairperson of the Federal Reserve.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today.
- Energy World Corporation Ltd. (ASX: EWC) rallied 7.6% to 35.5 cents
- Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) jumped 4.5% to $1.045
- G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) gained 4.3% to $3.65
- SMS Management & Technology Ltd (ASX: SMX) climbed 4.2% to $4.24
- Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) rose 3.8% to $11.55
These stocks were the losers on the day.
