The local sharemarket rebounded today following weak US economic data which supports a delay in a US interest rate hike.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.6% to 5,230 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.7% to 5,265 points
- AUD/USD at US 73.23 cents
- Iron Ore at US$55.12 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,184.29 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$49.78 a barrel
Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) was one of the bigger news stories today. Its shares lifted 6.4% after the insurer listened to concerned shareholders, saying it would scrap its plans to expand in China.
Elsewhere, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) gained 6%. Fellow iron ore miners Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) gained 2.3% and 1.8% respectively.
Gold miners were the big winners thanks to the mineral's soaring price. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) and EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) rose 5.4%, 6.1%, and 7.4%, respectively.
Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) was the biggest gainer, rising 9.6%. Asciano Ltd (ASX: AIO) fell the hardest, shedding 7.6%.
Here are Thursday's top stories: