It has been a stellar start to the trading session for the Australian share market, following a stronger lead from Wall Street overnight. The local bourse jumped at the open and has managed to recoup yesterday’s losses in the first two hours of trade and is tracking 0.89 per cent higher at noon. Most sectors are back in the black today, but Health Care is leading the charge with CSL Limited
(ASX:CSL) bouncing back after yesterday’s losses. Consumer staples and REITs are also performing well.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 47 points up at 5,721. On the futures market the SPI is 42 points higher.
Asian marketsChecking in with how Asian markets are tracking now, Japan’s Nikkei has added 0.17 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng has added 1.1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite is flat.
Company newsWhitehaven Coal Limited
(ASX:WHC) has released its June quarter results, saying its saleable coal production of 5.5 million tonnes was a 7 per cent increase on the previous corresponding period. For the full year Whitehaven reported record saleable coal production of 20.8 million tonnes, up 6 per cent on the previous corresponding period. The company says its safety performance also remains strong. Shares in Whitehaven are trading down 0.35 per cent at $2.86.
Northern Star Resources Limited
(ASX:NST) has reported record gold production for the June quarter of just over 154 thousand ounces. The full year result has come in at the top end of guidance at around 514 thousand ounces. The gold producer says it will continue to grow its production and mine life, and construction of its 500,000 ounce per annum Millenium underground well is ahead of schedule. Shares in Northern Star are trading up 1.6 per cent at $4.76.
Best and worst performersThe best performing sector is Health Care, gaining 1.82 per cent to 23,214. Shares in Sirtex Medical
(ASX:SRX) have risen 3.18 per cent and trading at $16.24. Shares in Australian Pharmaceuticals
(ASX:API) and CSL Limited
(ASX:CSL) are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is Telcos, falling 0.05 per cent to 1,516. Shares in Speedcast International
(ASX:SDA) have fallen 0.39 per cent, trading at $3.79. Shares in Telstra
(ASX:TLS) and Vocus Group
(ASX:VOC) are flat.
Commodities and the dollarGold is trading at $US1,222 an ounce.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.7682.
