Local shares fell sharply today, with the miners once again acting as a heavy drag on the market's overall performance. Notably, the banks didn't help, either.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.7% to 5435 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.7% to 5518 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.31 cents
- Iron Ore at US$57.16 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,259.92 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$51.40 a barrel
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) led the downward charge, falling 2.9%. Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also dropped 2.7%, while South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shed 2.8%.
Among the banks, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) fell 1.5%, and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) fell 1.6%. All four of the majors ended the day in the red.
Other shares that experienced hefty losses today were Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK), OFX Group Ltd (ASX: OFX) and Oil Search Limited (ASX: OSH). The trio fell 7.2%, 4.9% and 3.6%, respectively.
On a more positive note, the gold miners produced some strong rebounds today. Beadell Resources Ltd (ASX: BDR) rose 7.5%, EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) gained 4.7%, and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) lifted 3%.
Vocus Communications Limited (ASX: VOC) also recovered 5.5% for the day.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
- Here's what you should do BEFORE the next stock market crash
- This broker thinks it's time to sell your BHP Billiton Limited & Rio Tinto Limited shares
- 4 growth shares I can't help but love
- Named: What could be 4 of the riskiest shares on the ASX right now
- 3 stocks with bigger dividends than Telstra Corporation Ltd's1%
- Here's why the Link Administration Holdings Ltd share price is tanking today
