It has been a positive day of trade for the Australian share market. After opening flat the market traded in higher within a 25 point range, closing up 15.9 points or 0.3%.
Best performing sector was energy following a strong showing by oil in the US Friday Woodside Petroleum rose 40c or 1.34% to $30.24, Santos did even better up 16c or 3.68% to $4.51. Industrials and information tech also performed well. Worst performing sector A- REITs.
At the closing bell the S&P/ASX 200 index closed 16 points up, or 0.27 per cent higher/lower to finish at 5,919.
The value of trades was $4.8billion on volume of 658 million shares at the close of trade. The top three stocks by value were BHP Billiton Limited
(ASX:BHP), ANZ Banking Group
(ASX:ANZ) and Macquarie Group Limited
(ASX:MQG).
On the futures market the SPI is 11 points up.
Asian marketsChecking in with how Asian markets are tracking now,
Japan’s Nikkei has lost 0.1 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng has added 0.05 per cent and the Shanghai Composite has lost 0.7 per cent.
Company newsBase metals exploration and development company, Panoramic Resources
(ASX:PAN) has released a presentation for it feasibility study at its Savannah nickel, copper and cobalt project in WA. Highlights include operating costs of all in sustaining cash costs of US$3.50ln for Nickel and a mine life of 8.3 years and pre-production ramp up capital costs of $36M. Strong interest from offtake partners and significant cobalt revenue are some of the other highlights. Shares in Panoramic Resources
(ASX:PAN) closed 1.27% lower or 0.5 cents at 39c
Internet of Things (IoT) data management platform Buddy Platform
(ASX:BUD) has successfully raised $23 million via an oversubscribed placement. Funds will be utilised for international expansion, including a potential global distribution arrangement which, if successful, will span over 100 new markets..
Healthcare company Zenitas
(ASX:ZNT) announced it is raising $29.7 million in a fully underwritten institutional placement and entitlement offer. The funds would be used for a pipeline of advanced acquisitions expected to be completed over the coming months.
Mobile and e-Health company G Medical
(ASX:GMV) has announced its wholly-owned US subsidiary will acquire 100% of CardioStaff Diagnostic Services, a US based independent diagnostic testing facility. This gives G Medical national medical diagnostic service presence in the US.
Best and worst performersThe best performing sector was Energy adding 1.40 per cent to close at 9809.
The worst performing sector was REITs, shedding 0.40 per cent to close at 1342 points.
The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was VOCUS GROUP
(ASX:VOC), rising 5.43 per cent to close at $2.91. Shares in Blackmores
(ASX:BKL) and Costa Group Holdings
(ASX:CGC) also closed higher.
The worst performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Greencross
(ASX:GXL), dropping 5.23 per cent to close at $5.25. Shares in Sigma Healthcare
(ASX:SIG) and Syrah Resources
(ASX:SYR) also closed lower.
CommoditiesGold is trading at $US1,272 an ounce.
Light crude is $1.26 up at $US53.90 barrel.
One Australian dollar is buying 76.76 US cents.
