Stocks on the Australian market finished the trading session higher on Thursday, led by gains among gold miners, materials companies and metals & mining stocks. At the close in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.96%, closing at 8,878.10, an increase of 84.50 points.
Among individual performers, IperionX Limited (ASX:IPX) was the top gainer on the benchmark, rising 9.83% or 0.47 points to end at 5.25. Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) also recorded a strong session, adding 9.05% or 0.83 points to close at 10.00. Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN) climbed 8.21% or 0.98 points to finish at 12.91 in late trade.
On the downside, Light & Wonder Inc DRC (ASX:LNW) led decliners, sliding 8.57% or 9.60 points to a close of 102.40. The stock fell to 52-week lows in the session. Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX:VEA) declined 5.06% or 0.12 points to end at 2.25, while Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX:YAL) was down 4.51% or 0.32 points to 6.78.
Market breadth favored advancers, with 677 stocks rising against 438 decliners on the Sydney exchange and 433 issues finishing unchanged.
Volatility measures for ASX options eased on the session. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which tracks implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, fell 1.88% to 12.04, marking a new one-month low.
Commodities trading showed higher prices across several contracts. Gold futures for June delivery rose 0.69% or 32.20, settling at 4,726.50 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for June delivery increased 0.43% or 0.41 to reach 95.49 a barrel, while the July Brent contract moved up 0.39% or 0.39 to trade at 101.66 a barrel.
Foreign exchange and dollar benchmarks were relatively steady. AUD/USD was essentially unchanged, up 0.06% to 0.72, and AUD/JPY ticked higher by 0.05% to 113.25. The US Dollar Index Futures registered a modest uptick of 0.04% at 97.92.
Index snapshot:
- S&P/ASX 200: 8,878.10, +84.50 (+0.96%)
- S&P/ASX 200 VIX: 12.04, -1.88% (new 1-month low)
Notable individual moves (session close):
- IperionX Limited (ASX:IPX): +9.83% to 5.25
- Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1): +9.05% to 10.00
- Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN): +8.21% to 12.91
- Light & Wonder Inc DRC (ASX:LNW): -8.57% to 102.40 (52-week low)
- Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX:VEA): -5.06% to 2.25
- Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX:YAL): -4.51% to 6.78