The local share market jumped again today, following the lead set by Wall Street overnight.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.8% to 5370 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.7% to 5446 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.89 cents
- Iron Ore at US$74.12 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,257.21 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$45.63 a barrel
The iron ore miners were once again the big winners today after iron ore surged to its highest level in 2 years. The junior miners were the best: BC Iron Limited (ASX: BCI) and Atlas Iron Limited (ASX: AGO) rose 21.9% and 29.4%, respectively.
Meanwhile, BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) all rose between 2.1% and 4.5%, with South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) up 5.2%.
The gold miners weren't so lucky as the shiny metal continued to slip in value. EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) dropped another 4.6% and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) fell 7.3%.
The banks provided plenty of drive again today. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) all lifted between 2.6% and 3.4%. National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) went one better, lifting 4.2%.
Some of the other best performers for the day included Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), CYBG PLC CDI 1:1 (ASX: CYB) and Henderson Group plc (ASX: HGG). The trio rose 6.4%, 4.5%, and 4.3%, respectively.
Along with the gold miners, APA Group (ASX: APA) and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) ranked among the worst performers, dropping 4.4% and 2.7%.
Here are Friday's top stories:
- We Will Remember Them
- Miners are SURGING as iron ore nears US$75 a tonne
- 3 ways to profit from the tourism boom
- 2 stocks I'd happily buy and hold forever
- 3 explosive fintech stars for future gains
- Gold miners crushed: Time to sell your shares?
- Why this investing legend dumped gold when Trump was elected
