The S&P/ASX 200 Index (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) has posted a gain of 0.04% to end the day flat after a mixed trading session which saw the bourse waver between positive and negative territory throughout the day. The main economic data out today was the National Australia Bank's monthly business survey which showed a sharp drop in business conditions for the month of February.
The fall in iron ore prices continued to weigh on mining stocks, with most sectors, including materials, registering falls today. Financials, property and telecommunications were the only gainers.
Overnight on Wall Street, the Dow Jones was down 0.21%, while the S&P 500 declined 0.05%.
Here are the top five best performing stocks in the index today.
- Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) added 2.8% to $2.55
- Ardent Leisure Group (ASX: AAD) climbed 2.5% to $2.49
- Westfield Group (ASX: WDC) rose 2.4% to $10.44
- BWP Trust (ASX: BWP) gained 2.2% to $2.36
- QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) closed up 2% to $12.87
These stocks were the losers on the day.
