The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEX: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) rallied 0.7% higher on Friday to finish the week slightly lower.
Here's a quick recap of Friday's session:
- S&P/ASX 200 up 0.7% 5714 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.6% to 5765 points
- AUD/USD at US 75.28 cents
- Iron Ore at US$83.34 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,183.79 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$56.16 a barrel
Shares of uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) ended up 32% after the company released a statement saying it was not aware of any -specific reason why its share price and trading volume had increased. However, it said it continues to pursue its restructure, while uranium markets continued to show strength.
BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) shares weighed on the market, falling 1.3%. Meanwhile, each of the major banks posted gains, with Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) rising an impressive 1.83%.
Elsewhere, gold mining stocks felt the pinch of lower prices and strength in share markets. Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) fell 2.7% while its smaller counterparts EVOLUTION FPO (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) ended 6.6% and 5% lower, respectively.
Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (ASX: LNG) was the best performer in the ASX 200, rising 6.5%. Shares in the LNG tolling facility business appear to be benefitting from an increase in oil prices and the Trump presidency.
Here are Friday's top stories:
