XMM 1.75% 5,841.6 s&p/asx 300 metals and mining

(Updates to close) Dec 28 (Reuters) - Australian shares ticked...

  1. 184,653 Posts.
    lightbulb Created with Sketch. 2711

    (Updates to close)

    Dec 28 (Reuters) - Australian shares ticked up to a near 10-year closing high on Thursday, driven by financials while materials rode higher on stronger commodities prices.

    The S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) rose 0.3 percent or 18.2 points to close a subdued session at 6,088.10, after ending almost flat on Wednesday.

    Financials accounted for most of the gains on the benchmark, with index heavyweights Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (WBC) rising 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

    The Australian metals and mining index .AXMM stretched its winning run to a twelfth consecutive session as it gained 0.5 percent, underpinned by a strengthening in gold and copper prices. [GOL/] [MET/L]

    Mining Giant BHP (BHP) climbed 0.6 percent to its highest since May 2015, while rival Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO) ticked up 0.4 percent to a near 6-1/2-year peak.

    The energy sector also continued to benefit from higher oil prices. Oil and gas company Woodside Petroleum Ltd (WPL) rose 0.8 percent to its highest close since Nov. 7. [O/R]

    In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) climbed 0.4 percent or 32.100 points to finish the session at 8,408.530, a record closing high.

    Consumer discretionary and utilities stocks together accounted for about half the gains on the benchmark, with entertainment company Sky Network Television Ltd (SKT) rising 4 percent to its highest close since Oct. 17, while Genesis Energy Ltd (GNE) ticked up 2.9 percent.

 
watchlist Created with Sketch. Add XMM (ASX) to my watchlist
arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch. arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch.