Local shares lost some of their earlier gains as the day went on, but still ended in the black for the fifth consecutive session.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.6% to 5372 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.6% to 5434 points
- AUD/USD at US 73.72 cents
- Iron Ore at US$55.26 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,273.15 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$45.48 a barrel
Today, it was the miners doing the heavy lifting, while the banks took a breather. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) was the worst, falling 1.1%, while its major rivals stayed mostly flat.
But after a better night for commodities, BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) were back on top. The pair rose 4% and 1.3%, while South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) gained 3.9%.
AWE Limited (ASX: AWE) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) were two of the best shares, rising 16.3% and 7.9%. Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW) also roared 5.5% higher.
OzForex Group Ltd (ASX: OFX) didn't fare so well. Its shares fell 2.6% for the day.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
- Here's how BHP Billiton Limited plans to reinvigorate growth
- Why BHP Billiton Limited is such a poor investment
- Broker tips 7 small to medium cap shares to outperform
- AWE Limited rejects takeover proposal and shares surge higher
- Why APN News and Media Limited and Fairfax Media Limited NZ are set to merge
- Could Woolworths Limited shares be the 'Comeback King' of 2016?
