The Australian share market is regaining some lost ground after a soft start to the trading day, with miners helping to pare losses.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 9 points down at 5,300. On the futures market the SPI is 10 points lower.
Company news
Super Retail Group Limited
(ASX:SUL) shares have tumbled after the company posted disappointing first-half sales figures. Super Retail Group, which owns brands such as Rebel and Supercheap Auto reported a weaker-than-expected 6 per cent rise in sales. Shares in Super Retail Group are trading 15.83 per cent down at $10.58.
Melbourne IT Limited
(ASX:MLB) has appointed Martin Mercer as CEO. Mr Mercer will begin in the role in early April after leaving his role as Managing Director, Strategy and Fixed at Optus. Shares in Melbourne IT are trading steady at $1.93.
To the best and worst performers The best performing sector is materials gaining 171 points to 10,249. Shares in Orica Limited
(ASX:ORI) have risen 3.13 per cent and trading at $24.72. Shares in Fortescue Metals Group Limited
(ASX:FMG) and BHP Billiton Limited
(ASX:BHP) are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is health care, falling 54 points to 14,486. Shares in Mesoblast limited
(ASX:MSB) have fallen 2.48 per cent, trading at $5.89. Shares in Ansell Limited
(ASX:ANN) and ResMed Inc
(ASX:RMD) are also lower.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,243 an ounce and the Australian dollar is buying 88.21 US cents.
