Following positive leads from US markets overnight the Australian share market opened in the black and managed to keep its head above water for the session before closing 0.73 per cent higher. The materials and energy sectors were the shining light today, with BHP and Rio Tinto gaining close to 5 and 4 per cent respectively. The healthcare space painted a bit of a mixed picture today with losses in CSL and Cochlear, but gains in Sirtex and Mesoblast.
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 38 points higher to finish at 5,225.
The value of trades was $5.4 billion on volume of 794 million shares at the close of trade. The top three stocks by value were BHP Billiton Limited
(ASX:BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia
(ASX:CBA) and Westpac Banking Corporation
(ASX:WBC).
On the futures market the SPI is 46 points up.
Company news Blackmores Limited
(ASX:BKL) has delivered record profits up 145 per cent for the first nine months, with growth from all businesses and regions. The company recorded a record net profit after tax of $76 million. Group sales of $532 million were up 63 per cent for the nine months to 31 March 2016 compared to the prior corresponding period. Shares in Blackmores closed 3.08 per cent higher at $152.29.
Yowie Group Limited
(ASX:YOW) says following the latest Nielsen release Yowie is the number one selling novelty candy item in the US market.
Wellard Limited
(ASX:WLD) has welcomed the purpose designed M/V Ocean Shearer to its expanding fleet of livestock vessels.
Beach Energy Limited
(ASX:BPT) saw total sales revenue slip 5 percent to $120 million in the March quarter due to lower realised oil and gas liquids price.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector was Materials adding 2.7 per cent to close at 8,184. The worst performing sector was Healthcare, losing 0.2 per cent to close at 19,779 points.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Pacific Brands, rising 22.87 per cent to close at $1.16. Shares in Broadspectrum and Fortescue also closed higher.
The worst performing stock was Independence Group, dropping 11.18 per cent to close at $2.94. Shares in Evolution Mining and FlexiGroup also closed lower.
Commodities and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,255 an ounce.
Light crude is up $1.29 at $US45.33 a barrel.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7637.
