Despite a positive start to the session, and a strong lead set by international markets, local shares ended the day in the red. It was dragged lower by a weak performance by the miners, combined with an afternoon retreat in the banks' shares.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.1% to 5615 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.1% to 5665 points
- AUD/USD at US 76.67 cents
- Iron Ore at US$82.19 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,223.12 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$56.96 a barrel
Mining giant BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) shares fell 1.1%, adding to the losses endured by the miner on Friday. Its spinoff South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) also ended the session 4.4% lower.
National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) did manage to rebound, despite falling earlier this morning. The bank revealed a slight decline in cash earnings for its first quarter operations, although management were optimistic about the results. The shares closed 0.8% higher.
NAB's rivals Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) also lifted 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.
St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) were among the market's best performers today, driven by a rise in the gold price. The pair gained 5.6% and 3%, respectively.
Not so lucky were Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) and OFX Group Ltd (ASX: OFX), which slipped 4.8% and 4.1%.
Finally, Yowie Group Ltd (ASX: YOW) shares rose 3.9% after a generation's favourite chocolate toy maker announced the relaunch of the Yowie brand in Australia.
Here are Monday's top stories:
