The Aussie market closed stronger today driven higher by gains in energy stocks and the miners and following a rally on Wall St overnight on a report showing a rise in manufacturing activity.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index finished 48 points higher at 4,924 while on the futures market, the SPI200’s up 50.
To company news around this afternoon: Shopping centre owner Centro Properties Group (ASX:CNP) has appointed Robert Tsenin as CEO and managing director. Mr Tsenin, who is currently a non-executive director, will formally commence his duties as Group CEO in Centro’s head office on the first of March 2010 and will become Group CEO designate on February the 5th 2010 to ensure an orderly handover from current Group CEO Glenn Rufrano. Chairman Paul Cooper says Mr Tsenin brings to the role 30 years of experience in real estate, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions both in Australia and abroad, including six years at Lend Lease as Finance Director. Shares in Centro Properties Group closed 1.59 per cent lower at $0.31.
Commercial construction and property development business Diploma Group Ltd (ASX:DGX) has been awarded a $110 million contract to build stage 1 of the Queens Riverside development in Perth on behalf of Frasers Property Australia. On completion Queens Riverside Stage 1 will comprise commercial, retail, residential and hospitality components. The project will commence this month and is anticipated for completion mid 2012. Shares in Diploma Group closed 7.81 per cent higher at $0.345.
Also making news: Petroleum exploration company Modena Resources Limited (ASX:MDA) has acquired U.S based company Blackgate Resources for US$24 million.
Online travel agent Webjet Ltd (ASX:WEB) has reported a 37% rise in the value of all tickets sold, defying the industry downtown for the second half of 2009. Webjet managing director David Clarke attributes the market share gain to the organic growth of the company, with the total transaction values for that period totalling $248 million compared to $182 million last year.
Infrastructure and engineering company Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX:LEI) has been awarded a $140 million Queensland coal mining contract extension.
And Australia Pacific LNG, a 50/50 joint venture between Origin Energy Ltd (ASX:ORG) and ConocoPhillips, has signed two key upstream design, engineering and construction contracts for its coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas project.
In the best and worst performers: The best performing sector today was the Real Estate Investment Trust index, which was up 29 points at 921. The worst performing by percentage points was the Health Care index; which fell111 points to 8,634.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ ASX200 was Ardent Leisure Group shares gained 7.58% to $1.845. Shares in Boart Longyear and Gindalbie Metals also improved.
The worst performing stock was iSoft shares lost 3.95% to $0.73. Energy World Corp and Emeco Holdings shares also closed lower today.
In commodities, gold is trading at $1,122.70 U.S an ounce and light crude is up 12 cents at $81.63 U.S a barrel.
