Local shares soared to their highest level since August today. They also recorded their seventh consecutive week in the black in a rise driven by the banks and other high-yield businesses.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.3% to 5405 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.3% to 5469 points
- AUD/USD at US 72.19 cents
- Iron Ore at US$49.90 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,218.18 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$49.15 a barrel
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) was again the standout for the banks, lifting 1.2%. Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares also rose 0.8%.
Meanwhile, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) gained 0.2%, Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) recovered 1.9%, and Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) lifted 1.9%.
The miners didn't perform so strongly. Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 1.4%, while South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) dropped 0.9%.
Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) was one of the worst for the day, falling 3.1%. Aconex Limited (ASX: ACX), on the other hand, rose 2.9% after another analyst upgrade.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Broker names 3 stocks to buy, and 2 to sell
- 3 dividend shares to boost your retirement portfolio
- How much higher can Cochlear Limited and CSL Limited shares go?
- Why Appen Limited shares are going gangbusters
- Broker slaps $95.60 price target on Macquarie Group Ltd
- Is it time to sell Wesfarmers Ltd?
- 3 reasons you should sell Woolworths Limited shares
