Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) indices finished lower on Thursday.
Here's a quick recap of the Aussie market:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.9%
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.9%
- AUD/USD at US 79.62 cents
- Gold at US$1,304 an ounce, down 0.5%
- Oil at US$50.73 a barrel, up 1.7%
Leading the market lower today were shares of BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL), Fletcher Building Limited (Australia) (ASX: FBU) and Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN), each of which fell 4% or more.
Speculation is swirling that Crown, the casino operator, may make an acquisition in the domestic market. However, the company's stock also went 'ex-dividend' today meaning shareholders of the company as of yesterday will receive its next dividend of 30 cents per share which is due to be paid in October.
Further down the market, gold miners Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) were sold down following a modest fall in gold prices.
At the other end of the ASX's performance tables were shares of Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX: WPL) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO). Shareholders in both energy companies welcomed a lift in oil prices overnight.
Further down the market, shares of childcare centre owner and operator G8 Education Ltd (ASX: GEM) lifted 4% on news of a takeover.
Here are today's top stories:
