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 short recap of the Australian market:
- S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) down 0.22% to 5,937.20
- ALL ORDINARIES (Index: ^AXAO) (ASX: XAO) down 0.20% to 6,043.20
- AUD/USD at US 77 cents
- Gold at US$1,327.78 an ounce
- Brent Oil at US$69.50 a barrel
The best result in the ASX200 today came from Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC), it rose by 4.68%. Indeed, the best performing shares were all resource stocks, Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) went up by 4.04% and Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) went up 3.26% today.
Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) reported today and increased its dividend, which led to the share price rising by 2.84%.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) also reported today, its dividend growth streak has now hit 20 years. Its share price went up by 2.57% today.
The Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price rose by a further 2.78% after the oil price almost hit US$70.
At the other end of the scorecard, Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) fell by 7.39% today after reporting a disappointing set of numbers.
Finally, a number of defensive shares have fallen today due to the Federal Reserve raising its rate to 1.75%. Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) fell by 1.8%, Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) dropped by 2.45% and Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) fell by 2.28%.
Here are some of today's top stories:
