It has been a positive end to the trading week for the Australian share market, bouncing at the open and remaining in the black for the rest of the session and then finally closing 0.24 per cent higher. The best performer today was REITS, closely followed by the financials space with all of the big four banks closing higher. These gains were however offset by a retrace in Consumer Staples and Utilities, with losses in the likes of Blackmores
(ASX:BKL) and Tassal Group
(ASX:TGR).
At the closing bell the S&P/ASX 200 index closed 14 points up to finish at 5,800.
The value of trades was $7.3 billion on volume of 1.1 billion shares at the close of trade. The top three stocks by value were Rio Tinto Limited
(ASX:RIO), ANZ Banking Group
(ASX:ANZ) and National Australia Bank Limited
(ASX:NAB).
On the futures market the SPI is 1 point higher.
US marketsUS major indexes have risen over the four trading days this week: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has added 0.15 per cent. The S&P 500 Index has gained 0.37per cent. The NASDAQ has added 0.66 per cent. The 100 Index has gained 0.48 per cent.
Company newsSenex Energy Limited
(ASX:SXY) says it will accelerate the delivery of gas from its Vanessa Field in the Cooper Basin with grant funding of $5.82 million. The company says the funding would contribute to the cost of infrastructure to connect the Vanessa gas fields with South Australian customers. Shares in Senex Energy closed 4.35 per cent lower at $0.33.
Slater and Gordon Limited
(ASX:SGH) has announced it’s in confidential discussions with its lenders about the stabilisation of its capital structure.
Amex Resources Limited's
(ASX:AXZ) board has unanimously recommended its shareholders accept a cash takeover offer by Waratah International (Asia) Limited.
Global Energy Ventures Limited
(ASX:GEV) has announced its signed an exclusive technology and development cooperation agreement with EnerSEA’s CNG marine transport solutions.
Best and worst performersThe best performing sector was REITs adding 0.87 per cent to close at 1,363. The worst performing sector was Utilities losing 0.47 per cent to close at 8,426 points.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Galaxy Resources
(ASX:GXY) rising 7.07 per cent to close at $0.53. Shares in IPH Limited
(ASX:IPH) and Myer Holdings
(ASX:MYR) also closed higher.
The worst performing stock was St Barbara
(ASX:SBM) , dropping 3.8 per cent to close at $2.53. Shares in Seven West Media
(ASX:SWM) and Retail Food Group
(ASX:RFG) also closed lower.
Commodities and the dollarGold is trading at $US1,227 an ounce. Light crude is $0.39 lower at $US49.25 a barrel. The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7687.
