Local shares recorded a slight loss today ahead of the upcoming Brexit vote, which will see Britons elect to stay in or leave the European Union. This has been the cause for plenty of volatility lately, but it does seem as though investors are becoming more confident that a positive decision (to remain in the EU) will be reached.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.1% to 5270 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.1% to 5349 points
- AUD/USD at US 74.61 cents
- Iron Ore at US$50.87 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,261.65 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$50.83 a barrel
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) helped to buoy the ASX today, lifting 0.6%. Its three major rivals all ended in the red, although they each only recorded losses between 0.2% and 0%.
The miners provided the market with some support. South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) rose another 3.9%, Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) gained 0.8% and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) lifted 1.4%.
The gold miners, on the other hand, suffered as the market's anxiety levels cooled. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) dropped 2.9%, EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) lost 5.7% and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) fell 3.4%.
REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) gained an impressive 4%, while Spotless Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPO) dropped 7%.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
- Is Rio Tinto Limited getting ready for a US$9.3 billion spin off?
- 5 facts shareholders need to know from Wesfarmers Ltd's Strategy Day
- Why Medibank Private Ltd's reputation is on the line
- DroneShield Ltd goes nuts on ASX debut
- How you could become a millionaire starting with just $25,000
- Why gold could crash or soar this week
