The local share market edged higher today, aided by a very strong gain from BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP). That came even after yesterday's terrible earnings result from the group.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.1% to 5535 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) flat at 5628 points
- AUD/USD at US 76.73 cents
- Iron Ore at US$60.22 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,343.63 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$48.81 a barrel
BHP Billiton reported a US$6.4 billion loss on Tuesday afternoon, but that didn't stop its shares from rising 3.3%.
Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also lifted 2.3% while South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) gained 3%.
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) wasn't so lucky, falling 5.1%. QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) fell even harder, shedding 8.3%. And Spotless Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SPO) plunged 10.6%.
They weren't the only shares on the chopping block today. EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) tumbled 6.4%, Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) fell 5.5% and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) lost another 3.5%.
Of course, it wasn't all bad news today. Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (ASX: DMP) rose 8.1%. Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL) gained 6.2%. And Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) lifted 4.5%.
Here are Wednesday's top stories:
- Why shares of BHP Billiton Limited are soaring today
- Crash: Why the QBE Insurance Group Ltd share price is plunging today
- Here's why shares in gold miner EVOLUTION FPO crashed today
- Is Nanosonics Ltd a buy after posting a 93% jump in sales?
- Servcorp Limited reports: Here's what investors should know
- Sonic Healthcare Limited rises as profits jump 20%: Is it a bargain?
- Why the Primary Health Care Limited share price is soaring today
