Following mixed offshore leads and in anticipation for the forthcoming Greek elections, the Australian share market has had a choppy day in trade so far, opening sharply higher before dipping into the red and creeping back up at noon.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 13 points up at 4,055. On the futures market the SPI is 13 points higher.
Company news
Wide Bay Australia Limited (ASX:WBB) has reduced its standard variable rate by 20 basis points. Wide Bay says it has continued to balance the needs of its mortgage customers and savers, particularly retirees who depend on income from their deposit accounts.Shares in Wide Bay last traded at $5.60.
The chief executive of Sydney Airport Holdings Limited (ASX:SYD) Kerrie Mather says it was stepping up its role in bringing more tourists to Australia. At a business lunch, Ms Mather signalled closer co-operation with Tourism Australia and New South Wales Tourism and expects passenger numbers to more than double by 2029. The airport continues to consult on a new plan to develop a second airport in Sydney.Shares in Sydney Airport are trading down 0.68 per cent at $2.92.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector is Energy gaining 99 points to 12,468. Shares in Whitehaven Coal Limited (ASX:WHC) have risen 5.01 per cent and trading at $4.40. Shares in Coalspur and AWE are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is Health Care, falling 29 points to 9,117. Shares in Mesoblast limited (ASX:MSB) have fallen 3.99 per cent and trading at $5.53. Shares in ResMed and Primary Health Care are also lower.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,625.33 an ounce and the Australian dollar is slightly above parity at $US1.001.
