The Australian share market opened flat after its two day Christmas break and is 0.2 per cent up at noon as big name resources stocks perform stronger in early trade.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 10 points higher at 4,645. On the futures market the SPI is 10 points up.
Company news
National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB) put through more than 3.8 million ATM, eftpos and credit card transactions on boxing day, with a transaction rate that peaked at 100 per second. The transaction rate was 30 per cent higher than last year’s boxing day result, however below Christmas Eve’s record peak of 206 transactions per second. Shares in NAB are trading up 0.12 per cent at $24.91.
Arrium Limited (ASX:ARI) completed its maiden iron ore shipment from the newly expanded Whyalla port. CEO Geoff Plummer says the steelmaker and iron ore miner is on track and within budget for increasing its port capacity to 13 mega tonnes per annum by June next year. Shares in Arrium are trading up 1.41 per cent at $0.90.
Best and worst performers
The best performing sector is Consumer Discretionary, gaining 9 points to 1,335. Shares in Myer Holdings Limited (ASX:MYR) have risen 2.9 per cent and trading at $2.13. Shares in Fairfax Media Limited (ASX:FXJ) and Billabong International Limited (ASX:BBG) are also stronger at midday.
The worst performing sector is Health Care, falling 17 points to 11,653. Shares in Mesoblast limited (ASX:MSB) have fallen 1.33 per cent, trading at $5.18. Shares in ResMed Inc. (ASX:RMD) and Primary Health Care Limited (ASX:PRY) are also trading lower so far today.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,654 an ounce and the Australian dollar is buying $US1.036.
