The local share market ended the session higher today, although it was a very bumpy ride from start to finish.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.2% to 5692 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.2% to 5745 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.21 cents
- Iron Ore at US$82.05 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,202.83 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$54.35 a barrel
A number of big-name companies enjoyed strong gains today.
Shares of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) rocketed 12.5% on a major profit upgrade, saying it expects net profit to grow between 18% and 20% for the full year (compared to previous guidance of 11%).
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) also soared 15.2% after it acquired the majority of Mondelēz International's Australia and New Zealand grocery and cheese business. This will add Vegemite, as well as a number of other brands, to Bega Cheese' arsenal.
And Sims Metal Management Ltd (ASX: SGM) also rose 3.3% on its own profit upgrade.
Online classifieds business Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) wasn't so lucky. Its shares fell 2.9% after it announced its long-serving CEO, Greg Roebuck, is to retire.
Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW) also plunged 10% on its earnings update.
Telecommunications giant Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) was also one of the market's casualties today, shedding 3%.
Here are Thursday's top stories:
