Aussie shares closed almost 1 per cent up, boosted by strong jobs data and financial and banking stocks leading the gains.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index is up 45 points to finish at 4,582. And on the futures market, the SPI200 is up 44 points.
In economic news: The Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed the country’s employers added 53,100 new full-time staff in August, the unemployment rate dropping to 5.1 per cent in the month, from 5.3 per cent in July.
To company news around this afternoon: BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has been unable to reach a commercial agreement to combine its assets in West Africa with the world’s largest steel maker, ArcelorMittal, according to the Australian Associated Press. Earlier this year the mining giant entered into talks to combine the companies iron ore interests in Liberia and Guinea. AAP says these discussions have now reached an unsuccessful end. Shares in BHP Billiton closed 0.71% up at $38.18.
Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW) says it is open to local and international acquisitions, despite continuing to be disciplined in its approach to investments. In the retailer’s annual report, managing director Michael Luscombe says the company will remain focused on growth and expects net profit after tax to grow between 8 to 11 per cent in fiscal 2011. Shares in Woolworths closed 0.07% up at $29.06.
Retirement village operator Aevum Ltd (ASX:AVE) has confirmed that it is in discussions with various parties to investigate other options to Stockland’s (ASX:SGP) $266 million takeover offer, which the Aevum board has rejected.
Jabiru Metals Ltd (ASX:JML) says its Jaguar base metals project in Western Australia has a life of more than eight years, the mineral reserves upgrade represents a three year increase over the July estimate.
Shares in AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd’s (ASX:AXA) fell today, following news that The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has for the second time blocked National Australia Bank Ltd’s (ASX:NAB) bid for AXA APH’s Australian and New Zealand businesses.
Shares in Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) also dropped in response to the gas producer announcing it will sell a 15 per cent stake in its Gladstone liquefied natural gas project to Total, for $650 million.
In the best and worst performers: Most sectors closed in the black today. The best performing sector at close was the Financials excluding Real Estate Investment Trusts with the index up 79 points at 5,095.
The worst performing sector at close was the Telco Services sector with the index down 14 points at 975. The best performing stock in the S&P/ ASX200 was Sundance Resources shares were 18.92% higher at $0.22. Shares in Eastern Star Gas and Murchison Metals also closed higher. The worst performing stock was Santos, shares as mentioned before. Shares in AXA Asia Pacific Holdings and Telecom of New Zealand also closed weaker today.
In commodities, gold is trading at $1256 US an ounce. And light crude is up $0.11 at $74.78 US a barrel.
