The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) finished higher on Thursday.
Here's a quick recap of global markets:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.1%
- DAX (Germany): up 0.1%
- CAC 40 (France): down 0.4%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 0.1%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 0.1%
Here are today's key stats:
- ASX 200: up 0.2%
- All Ordinaries: up 0.2%
- Australian dollar (A$) (AUDUSD): 74.01 cents
- Gold price: up 0.5%
- WTI Crude Oil: down 2%
- Iron ore: Down 2.5% to $US57.02 per tonne, according to The Metal Bulletin
Weighing on the market were shares of Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). Fortescue shares appear to have come off the boil thanks to a selloff in iron ore prices overnight.
However, Wesfarmers' shares appear to have been sold down following a bearish report issued by Morgan Stanley analysts. The analysts believe the online competitive threat of Amazon will severely impact the company's Kmart and Target department stores.
Also weighing on the market was TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) and Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT).
At the other end of the ASX's performance tables were shares of Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC), APA Group (ASX: APA), Primary Health Care Limited (ASX: PRY) and Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO).
APA Group, Australia's leading gas pipeline operator, announced the acquisition of eastern Victoria's Orbost Gas Processing Plant.
Here are today's top stories:
