Market Wrap: ASX trades cautiously amid Fed jitters

Market Reports

The Australian share market traded lower but finished flat today ahead of a monetary policy announcement due from the US Federal Reserve tomorrow. Utilities and consumer staples were weak while health care and mining sectors ended stronger. The big miners BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO) finished higher as the Big Banks mainly declined. A number of companies trading ex-dividend also weighed on the local bourse, including supermarket giant Woolworths Limited (ASX:WOW)
 
Figures
 
The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 0.2 points higher at 5,842. 
 
The value of trades was $5.7 billion on volume of 928 million shares at the close of trade. 

The top three stocks by value were Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC)
 
On the futures market the SPI is 8 points higher. 
 
Company news
 
On the same day the Government’s resources forecaster cut its outlook for the price of iron ore Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX:FMG) has backed out of a $US2.5 billion bond issue. The Pilbara focussed iron ore miner says it will no longer pursue the previously announced debt issue as its cost objectives were not met. Shares in Fortescue Metals Group fell 5.33 per cent to close at $1.86. 
 
Boral Limited (ASX:BLD) has announced an on-market share buy-back for up to 5 per cent of the company’s issued capital, valued at about $236 million over the following 12 months. The building products manufacturer says the buyback reflects the company's commitment to efficient capital management and delivering improved returns to shareholders. Shares in Boral rose 1.66 per cent to close at $6.12. 
 
Service Stream Limited (ASX:SSM) has struck a new deal with Hutchison Telecommunications Limited (ASX:HTA) 50 per cent owned Vodafone Hutchison Australia for the provision of wireless design and construction services. 
 
GPT Metro Office Fund (ASX:GMF) says it has completed building the new national headquarters for Samsung Australia at Sydney Olympic Park. 
 
Explosives maker Orica Limited (ASX:ORI) is on the hunt for a new chief after announcing its current CEO and Managing Director Ian Smith will step down.   
 
New Zealand based insurance group Tower Limited (ASX:TWR, NZE:TWR) has appointed Brett Wilson as its new Chief Financial Officer who will start with the company next week. 
 
Best and worst performers
 
The best performing sector was health care, adding 1.3 per cent to close at 19,334.
The worst performing sector was utilities, losing 1.2 per cent to close at 6,410 points.
 
After plunging more than 50 per cent yesterday today’s best performing stock was Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX:SRX), rising 19.51 per cent to close at $20.95. Shares in Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX:MND) and Paladin Energy Limited (ASX:PDN) also closed higher.
 
The worst performing stock was Cardno Limited (ASX:CDD), dropping 9.27 per cent to close at $2.84. Shares in Beadell Resources Limited (ASX:BDR) and Horizon Oil Limited (ASX:HZN) also closed lower. 
 
Commodities
 
Gold is buying $US1,150 an ounce.
Light crude is $0.94 lower at $US45.19 a barrel. 

Currencies
 
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7618. 

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