Local shares traded within a narrow band today, with the main bourse fittingly ending the session flat. The miners acted as a drag on the market's overall progress.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) flat at 5,434 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) flat at 5,518 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.90 cents
- Iron Ore at US$56.67 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,256.09 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$51.90 a barrel
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) hindered the ASX 200's progress today, as did Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO). The pair fell 0.9% and 1%, respectively.
The banks were mixed as well, with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) falling 0.9%, but Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) rose 0.4%.
Most of the gold miners ended today's session in the red. EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) dipped 3.6% while Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) slipped 4.4%.
Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU) fell 6%, making it one of the worst performing shares on the ASX 200. Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) and Select Harvests Limited (ASX: SHV), on the other hand, rose 2.5% and 3.4%.
Fantastic Holdings Limited (ASX: FAN) also soared 40% following a takeover offer.
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