News: Market Wrap: ASX advances over day and week

.

The Australian share market has advanced 1.8 per cent over the same week the Federal Budget was delivered. Today’s benchmark gain of 0.7 per cent was supported my most sectors and came on the back of record highs on Wall Street overnight. A lower oil price dragged on energy stocks and National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB) put pressure on financials with the stock trading ex-dividend. In the week ahead the Reserve Bank of Australia will release its meeting minutes and a gauge on consumer sentiment will be released. 

 

Figures

 

The S&P/ASX 200 index advanced 39 points today, extending the weekly rise of 101 points to close at 5,736. 

 

The value of trades was $5.4 billion on volume of 713 million shares at the close of trade. 

 

The top three stocks by value were National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC). 

 

On the futures market the SPI is 58 points stronger.

 

Wall Street

 

America’s major indices have climbed over the four trading days this week: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 0.3 per cent. The S&P 500 Index has gained 0.2 per cent. The NASDAQ has gained 0.9 per cent. The 100 Index has gained 0.8 per cent. 

 

Company news

 

Atlas Iron Limited (ASX:AGO) says it has achieved an outstanding result in striking a new landmark deal on costs. The mining company and its key contractors have reached an agreement which will in turn lower its costs and breakeven iron ore price. The deal will enable Atlas to resume full production at all three of its mines by the end of the year. Atlas Iron has also announced it plans to conduct a capital raising after which it expects for its shares to resume trading. Shares in Atlas Iron last traded at $0.12 prior to entering into a trading halt in early April. 

 

PAS Group Limited (ASX:PGR) surged to the best performer on the All Ordinaries Index after unveiling an upbeat trading update and revealing it continues to eye potential acquisitions. The apparel business expects to generate second half earnings between $11.3 million to $12.8 million, improving from $8.7 million delivered in the first half. Shares in PAS Group surged 37.93 per cent to end the week at $0.60. 

 

Shares in Metcash Limited (ASX:MTS) rose to the best performer on the benchmark index after the grocery wholesaler flagged the potential demerger of its automotive division which could result in a potential IPO creating a separate listed entity. 

 

Shares in medical technology group Rhinomed Limited (ASX:RNO) rocketed more than 90 per cent after ResMed Inc (ASX:RMD) said it will start selling its Mute snoring technology into the UK market.

 

Best and worst performers

 

The best performing sector was health care, adding 1.4 per cent to close at 18,327.

The only sector to close lower was energy, losing 0.7 per cent to close at 11,573 points.

 

The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Metcash Limited (ASX:MTS), rising 12.06 per cent to close at $1.44. Shares in FlexiGroup Limited (ASX:FXL) and Qube Holdings Limited (ASX:QUB) also closed higher.

 

The worst performing stock was Sundance Energy Australia Limited (ASX:SEA), dropping 6.67 per cent to close at $0.63. Shares in MMA Offshore Limited (ASX:MRM) and Senex Energy Limited (ASX:SXY) also closed lower. 

 

Commodities

 

The price of gold is buying $US1,218 an ounce, up $34.20 over the week. 

Light crude is $0.65 lower at $US60.84 a barrel. 

 

Currencies

 

The Australian dollar is buying $0.805, up $0.014 over the week.