The top performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were NICKEL MINES and ALUMINA , up 8.54% and 6.34% respectively, while the bottom performing stocks were POLYNOVO and OMNI BRIDGEWAY, down 5.7% and 5.3% respectively.
Improvements were across the majority of sectors with materials the standout performer. While big names BHP Group (BHP) and Rio Tinto (RIO) experienced muted gains, Fortescue Metals (FMG) lifted 2.6% and smaller miners like South32 (S32) jumped 5.9%. Alumina (AWC) ended 6.3% higher.
Shares of energy companies rallied after Oil Search and Santos confirmed the terms of a planned $21 billion merger, which would propel the newly formed company into the top 20 largest oil and gas producers globally. Oil Search rose 2.2%, while Santos added 0.5%.
CURRENCY NEWS: The Aussie dollar remains fairly steady against the greenback and buys 73.77 US cents.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content