Market Wrap: Aus shares close flat

Market Reports

The Australian share market has finished the day flat, losing most of its early gains in a lethargic afternoon of trade after defying mostly negative offshore leads to jump sharply at open.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 2 points higher to finish at 4,543. On the futures market, the SPI is currently 4 points up.
 
Company news 

Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX:WPL) has confirmed it is engaged in a bid for petroleum licences in Israel’s Leviathan gas field. The oil and gas company says it is in an early stage of competitive bidding with licence holders and any speculation about pricing and commercial terms is premature. Shares in Woodside Petroleum closed 0.25 per cent down at $35.52. 
 
Oil Search Limited (ASX:OSH) has maintained its full year production guidance despite output plunging 26 per cent in the September quarter compared to the previous quarter. The oil and gas producer attributed the fall to a minor oil spill as well as the temporary shutdown of a loading facility. Oil Search reaped $US108 million in operating revenue for the quarter. Shares in Oil search closed steady today at $7.60. 
  
Wotif.com Holdings Limited (ASX:WTF) shares jumped 16.39 per cent after the online travel booker forecast steady first half profit and revealed it will be lifting its commission from next year.

AGL Energy Limited (ASX:AGK) shares dipped 1.74 per cent despite the energy company expecting annual underlying profit to grow, after warnings about potentially negative impact from electricity pricing regulation.
 
Pacific Brands Limited (ASX:PBG) shares sagged 4.50 per cent after the clothing retailer said sales are down in the current financial year and warned it doesn’t expect great improvement in the coming months.
 
Shares inOZ Minerals Limited (ASX:OZL) firmed 1.93 per cent today after it assured shareholders it is on track to meet full year production guidance despite recording a fall in the September quarter.
 
Best and worst performers

The best performing sector wasTelco services adding 10 points to close at 1,393. The worst performing sector was Utilities, losing 42 points to close at 4,987.

The best performing stock in the S&PASX 200 wasWotif.com Holdings Limited (ASX:WTF) as we saw earlier it leapt 16.39 per cent to close at $4.90. Shares in Discovery Metals Limited (ASX:DML) and Fairfax Media Limited (ASX:FXJ) also closed higher. 

The worst performing stock was SMS Management & Technology Limited (ASX:SMX), dropping 23.37 per cent to close at $4.95. Shares in Coalspur Mines Limited (ASX:CPL) and Worleyparsons Limited (ASX:WOR) also closed lower.    

Commodities

Gold is trading at $US1,725 an ounce. Light crude is $0.15 up at $US88.80 a barrel. The Australian dollar is buying $US1.03.  

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