Australia's S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO)(ASX: XJO) and ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) indices finished higher on Friday.
Here's a quick recap of the Aussie market:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) up 0.3%
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) up 0.4%
- AUD/USD at US 78.33 cents
- Gold at US$1,295 an ounce, up 0.5%
- Oil at US$50.98 a barrel, down 2.7%
Amongst the best-performing shares during Friday's session was private hospital company Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) and BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL).
Ramsay's share price most likely reacted to news that the Government plans to make private healthcare more affordable for people under 30. When under-30's take out health insurance (for the first time) they will receive a 2% discount every year before they turn 30, up to 10%. The changes will also slow premium increases.
BlueScope shares rallied strongly despite no material news being released by the company. Shares in the steel company have rallied 30% in 2017.
Also amongst today's best-performers was Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL), which rose 2.5%, and SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK).
Further down the market, Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) continued to charge higher, ending up 5%.
Amongst the worst-performing blue chip shares was Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ), which fell 1.8%.
Further down the market, Lynas Corporation Ltd (ASX: LYC) fell 6.7%.
Here are today's top stories:
