Today’s jobs figures showed a rise in unemployment to 6 per cent but investors were largely un-phased. However, the Aussie dollar sunk on the news, down to $US0.9395.

 

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 12 points up to finish at 5,464. 

 

The value of trades was $4.11 billion on volume of 685 million shares at the close of trade. The top three stocks by value were BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) and National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB).

 

On the futures market the SPI is 9 points up.

 

Company news

 

Data centre operator Nextdc Limited (ASX:NXT) yesterday announced it gained access to the Federal Government Supplies Panel, while today  the company’s share price saw solid gains with the announcement of positive preliminary results in key non-financial indicators. 

 

The telephone and broadband provider My Net Fone Limited (ASX:MNF) has acquired iBoss for $1.4 million. 

 

Transurban Group (ASX:TCL) has posted a 13.1 per cent rise in fiscal 2014 revenue on the back of strong traffic growth from its Sydney and US networks. 

 

Fairfax Media Limited’s (ASX:FXJ) The Domain Group is set to buy a Canberra based online property portal called AllHomes. 

 

Australia’s largest company BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) has slipped in Fortune Magazine’s annual 500 list of the world’s biggest companies. 

 

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) has taken the major media sponsorship position on property information portal Onthehouse Holdings Limited (ASX:OTH) for the next 12 months.

 

Best and worst performers

The best performing sector was real estate investment trusts adding 1.2 per cent to close at 1,092. The worst performing sector was health care, losing 0.1 per cent to close at 14,273 points.

 

The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 was Karoon Gas Australia Limited (ASX:KAR), rising 6.6 per cent to close at $3.23. Shares in Navitas Limited (ASX:NVT) and Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) also closed higher.

 

The worst performing stock was Atlas Iron Limited (ASX:AGO), dropping 5.34 per cent to close at $0.62. Shares in Arrium Limited (ASX:ARI) and Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU) also closed lower. 

 

Commodities

Gold is trading at $US1,330 an ounce.
Light crude is $1.11 down at $US102.29 a barrel.
The Australian dollar is buying $US0.9395