The Aussie sharemarket’s higher at noon following Wall St’s leads after good jobs data and corporate results.
The S&P/ASX 200 index has added 24 points and is 4,239. On the futures market the SPI is 15 points higher.
Economic news
The Commonwealth Bank’s business sales indicator shows that value of credit and debit card transactions at retail stores fell 9.3 per cent last year.
Company news Westpac Banking Corporation
(ASX:WBC) is trading slightly higher at midday. The bank has told media it plans to sell Australian dollar-denominated covered bonds in the “near future”, subject to market conditions. Shares in Westpac have gained 0.68 per cent and are trading at $20.74.
Three drilling rigs currently operating at mineral explorer Blackthorn Resources Limited’s
(ASX:BTR) Mumbwa project in Zambia have completed nine drill holes for 4,613 metres. The company says assay results for copper have been received from a further four holes, including some significant high-grade copper mineralisation, and “exciting” shallow-depth copper mineralisation. Shares in Blackthorn are flat, at 53 cents.
Best and worst performers
Most sectors are higher at noon: the best performing sector is Industrials lifting 31 points to 3,505. Shares in Lynas have risen 8.7 per cent and trading at $1.25. Shares in Bluescope and Fortecsue are also higher.
The worst performing sector is Consumer Staples, losing 32 points to 7,413. Shares in Woolworths are 0.8 per cent lower, trading at $24.93. While shares in Metcash are lower and Coca-Cola Amatil are stronger.
New Zealand
The NZSX50 is 10 points higher. Taking a look at the top four stocks by turnover: Kathmandu is at the top of the list with stock up 0.62 per cent, at $1.63, followed by Heartland, Telecom and Fletcher Building.\
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,657 an ounce and the Australian dollar is buying $US1.0418.
