The local market followed international equities lower today, almost reversing the gains achieved during yesterday's session. The losses were broad with most of the market's biggest companies ending the day in the red.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.3% to 5498 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.3% to 5574 points
- AUD/USD at US 74.78 cents
- Iron Ore at US$57.17 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,327.30 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$46.28 a barrel
The banks were a weight on the market. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) were hit the hardest, losing 0.4% and 0.7%.
The miners started the day on top but eventually sacrificed their gains. Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) fell 0.4% while BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) gained a mere 0.2%.
Shares of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) fell sharply. They lost 3.2% following an analyst downgrade.
Aconex Ltd (ASX: ACX) and Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) also fell for the day, shedding 0.8% and 3.8%.
But that was nowhere near as bad as Asaleo Care Ltd (ASX: AHY), whose shares plunged 29.7% after a poor earnings result.
The gold miners, on the other hand, had a field day (excuse the pun). EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) rose 4.5% while Independence Group NL (ASX: IGO) rose 8.7%.
Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) recorded a strong gain as well, lifting 5.7%.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- Here's why Asaleo Care Ltd shares are being annihilated today
- The top 10 mid cap stocks to add to your watchlist
- Another retail disappointment: Asaleo Care Ltd share price smacked
- Why brokers have upgraded these 3 growth shares
- 4 ways to profit from the rise of the Chinese middle class
- Why shares of Gage Roads Brewing Co Limited are soaring today
- Here's why EVOLUTION FPO and the gold miners are soaring today
