At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 advanced 61.10 points, or 0.83%, to 7,443.05. The broader All Ordinaries index added 64.62 points, or 0.84%, to 7,765.82.
The top performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES PLC and IGO, up 5.2% and 4.8% respectively. The bottom performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE Co and NEARMAP, down 3.19% and 2.92% respectively.
Shares of materials and resources advanced on the back of firmer iron ore prices, with BHP, Rio Tinto, South32 and Fortescue Metals Group climbing 2-3 percent. Shares in Calix surged 20% to A$7.34 after the green technology company announced the filing of a patent covering a new method for the production of iron and steel that delivers zero emissions.
Healthcare stocks bucked the trend, with ResMed down 1.6%, while Fisher & Paykel Healthcare sank 3.2%. Ramsay Health Care fell 1.3%.
Perth-based disability services provider APM Human Services fell 6.2% to A$3.33 on its ASX debut today. The company raised A$982 million in its IPO which was priced at A$3.55 per share.
CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7296, still off levels above $0.738 seen earlier this week.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News