The ASX 200 ended the session in the red today, despite a promising lead set by international markets late last week.
Here's a quick recap:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.6% to 5754 points
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.5% to 5792 points
- AUD/USD at US 74.57 cents
- Iron Ore at US$57.79 a tonne, according to the Metal Bulletin
- Gold at US$1,279.92 an ounce
- Brent oil at US$50.58 a barrel
Gold miners Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) were among the market's best performing shares today. The pair rose 3.2% and 3.1% respectively following a recent rise in the gold price.
The Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) share price also defied the market's swing today, rising 4.3%, and Medical Developments International Ltd (ASX: MVP) jumped 5.1%. Medical Developments announced it had extended its existing partnership with the CSIRO, committing $3 million to the project over the next three years.
It wasn't quite so pretty elsewhere, however. The banks were among those stocks that dragged the market lower; Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) fell 1.8% and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares dropped 1.3%.
The BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) share price also declined 1.7% after a drop in the oil price.
The Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) share price declined 6% despite there being no news from the company.
Asaleo Care Ltd (ASX: AHY) also shed another 5.4%, and FlexiGroup Limited (ASX: FXL) fell 3.9%.
The Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN) share price also declined 2.1% with Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL) down 2.4%.
Here are Monday's top stories:
