Stock Markets
Australia stocks lower at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 down 0.58%
Australia stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Gold, Energy and Consumer Discretionary sectors led shares lower.
At the close in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.58%.
The best performers of the session on the S&P/ASX 200 were Mesoblast Ltd, which rose 5.81% or 0.07 points to trade at 1.27 at the close. Meanwhile, Collins Foods Ltd added 5.18% or 0.40 points to end at 8.12 and Perenti Global Ltd (ASX:PRN) was up 4.88% or 0.06 points to 1.29 in late trade.
The worst performers of the session were Flight Centre Ltd, which fell 6.88% or 1.47 points to trade at 19.90 at the close. Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX:SLR) declined 5.69% or 0.06 points to end at 1.00 and TPG Telecom Ltd was down 5.40% or 0.30 points to 5.26.
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Sydney Stock Exchange by 717 to 574 and 442 ended unchanged.
Shares in Mesoblast Ltd rose to 52-week highs; rising 5.81% or 0.07 to 1.27.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, was down 0.12% to 12.04.
Gold Futures for August delivery was down 0.08% or 1.55 to $1,946.15 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in August rose 0.39% or 0.28 to hit $71.47 a barrel, while the August Brent oil contract rose 0.32% or 0.24 to trade at $76.14 a barrel.
AUD/USD was unchanged 0.25% to 0.68, while AUD/JPY rose 0.17% to 96.14.
The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.06% at 102.19.
(Reuters) – An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.
Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In October, Biden placed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:), in Israel along with about 100 U.S. soldiers to help defend the country.
THAAD is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered air defense systems and added to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses.
(Reuters) – A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report published on Friday criticized the CIA’s response to so-called Havana syndrome health problems among its workforce, saying many individuals “faced obstacles to timely and sufficient care.”
A declassified summary of the panel’s classified report also said the spy agency’s response “negatively affected” those who reported symptoms, leading to a “trust deficit” among some personnel.
While the CIA provided benefits and compensation to many of those reporting symptoms, the report said, the ease of accessing those programs has been inconsistent, affecting how the agency has been organized to deal with the matter.
Following these transactions, Saba Capital now holds 4,057,625 shares of Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, reflecting its continued confidence in the fund’s performance. The fund currently offers a 4.53% dividend yield and maintains a conservative beta of 0.67, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. This move underscores Saba Capital’s strategy to enhance its position in the municipal bond market through this investment. InvestingPro analysis reveals several additional key metrics and insights about MHI’s financial health and market position.
Following these transactions, Saba Capital now holds 4,057,625 shares of Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, reflecting its continued confidence in the fund’s performance. The fund currently offers a 4.53% dividend yield and maintains a conservative beta of 0.67, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. This move underscores Saba Capital’s strategy to enhance its position in the municipal bond market through this investment. InvestingPro analysis reveals several additional key metrics and insights about MHI’s financial health and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Forex2 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex2 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- Forex2 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Forex2 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Cryptocurrency2 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- World2 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Commodities2 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Forex2 years ago
The dollar is down again against major world currencies
