Local shares followed international markets higher this morning. Although the market gradually fell towards yesterday's closing price, it still managed to close in the black, ensuring a positive start to the new financial year.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.3% to 5246 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.3% to 5327 points
- AUD/USD at US 74.59 cents
- Iron Ore at US$55.66 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,333.42 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$50.02 a barrel
The banks weighed on the market's performance today. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) fell 0.7%, following a strong rebound in recent sessions, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) dropped 0.6%.
The miners, on the other hand, enjoyed strong gains after a lift in the iron ore price overnight. BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) rose 2.4% and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) was up 1.3%.
Gold miners were also back in favour today after heavy falls in recent sessions. EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) soared 10.7%, while St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) was up 9.5%.
Some of the other big winners for the day included Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) and Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG), which soared 15.4% and 12.5% respectively.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Top stock picks for July
- Why the Aconex Limited share price is flying today
- Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
- Shares in BHP Billiton Limited jump around 3% despite negative Samarco news
- Shaver Shop Group Ltd to list on ASX today. Is it a buy?
- 5 defensive shares to buy for 2016-17
- This is why your SMSF likely had a shocker of a year
