ASX 200 today: What’s driving Australian shares today?

April 08, 2021
10:54 AM AEST

Ashish

Financial Journalist

Financial Journalist Ashish
151 Posts
Ashish is a Financial Journalist with an experience of nearly 9 years in the field of economy, stock market and foreign affairs. He has also spent a few years in the corporate sector. A mechanical engineer with post-graduation in marketing and operat...

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Summary

The ASX 200 on Thursday opened higher, up 13.70 points, or 0.20%, to 6,941.70, even as the US stock markets closed mixed overnight.

Metals & Mining and Resources were up by over 1%. Banks were also trading higher in the early trade.

The Australian dollar was trading 0.03% higher at 0.7612.

The ASX 200 on Thursday opened higher, up 13.70 points, or 0.20%, to 6,941.70, even as the US stock markets closed mixed overnight. The traders remained cautious about the ongoing risks of the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last five days, ASX 200 has gained 1.65%s and currently stands at its 52-week high.

While the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 16.02 points, or 0.05%, to 33,446.26, the S&P 500 surged 6.01 points, or 0.15%, to 4,079.95. The NASDAQ Composite dipped 9.54 points, or 0.07%, to 13,688.84.

Source: © Djbobus | Megapixl.com

Gainers and losers

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield edged higher over 4%, while EML Payments was also up just over 4% in the opening trade. The other major gainers were Fortescue (up 2) and Tabcorp (up 2%). While Resolute Mining was down (2%), Perseus Mining traded lower 1%.

Sectoral movement

Metals & Mining and Resources were up by over 1%. Banks were also trading higher in the early trade.

Australian dollar edges higher

The Australian dollar was trading 0.03% higher at 0.7612. The dollar index rose 0.08%.

Australian bond yields dip

Australian 10-year bond yields stood at 1.693, down 0.47%. The US benchmark 10-year yield inched up by 1.83% to 1.677%.

Gold prices ease

The spot gold fell 0.4% to US$1,737.11 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures closed 0.1% lower at US$1,741.6 an ounce.

Source: © Sadeq68 | Megapixl.com

Crude oil prices rise

The WTI crude closed at US$59.77 a barrel, up 0.74%, while Brent crude was up by 0.67% to settle at US$63.16 per barrel.

Newsmakers

Global biotechnology company Immutep Ltd said that its lead product candidate, eftilagimod alpha or efti, had received fast-track designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Nexion Group Ltd announced that it had completed an agreement to acquire Blue Sky Telecom Pty Ltd as part of its growth strategy.

Piedmont Lithium increased its forecasts for mineral deposits at its flagship project in North Carolina, pointing towards a greater lithium output.

Western Areas announced that total nickel mined in the March quarter surged by 20 per cent against the prior quarter to 4,236 tonnes.

McPherson’s directors have recommended to shareholders to reject an acquisition offer from Gallin.

Envirosuite said that it had delivered a record A$2.1 million in new annualised recurring revenue over the March quarter. The total ARR currently stood at A$42.5 million.