Sellers continued to pressure the ASX 200 lower at lunchtime on Friday. A notable absence from the list of decliners was the Materials sector. FMG & BHP were each ahead by 0.5% after recent declines

Sellers were unrelenting in the second half of the session on Thursday, ensuring that the ASX completed the session at the lows of the day.

Early gains have been snuffed out by sellers on Thursday. A new 5 year low for iron ore sets back the miners. Employment jumps in the last month.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: RRL up 7.3%, BRG up 3.9%, CFX up 3.1%, FDC up 2.3%, EGP up 1.9%

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: RSG up 9.3%, TSE up 4.4%, VED up 3.8%, NST up 3.1%, VRT up 2.6%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: CGF up 3.8%, GEM up 3.5%, WSA up 2.1%, DLS up 2.1%, MTU up 1.8%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: PDN up 2.3%, WSA up 2.1%, WHC up 2.1%, REC up 1.8%, SIR up 1.8%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: AWE up 3.7%, REC up 3.7%, BRG up 2.9%, SIR up 2.6%, SIP up 2.4%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: MSB up 3.8%, ORG up 2.4%, QUB up 2.3%, RRL up 2.2%, NEC up 1.9%.

The All Ords +0.49% at close & ends at intraday high. Utilities only losers. Miners +0.37%, energy +1.65%, financials +0.29%.

The All Ords +0.08% to 5629.3. Consumer staples & IT in red, all others higher.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: TSE up 24.1%, HVN up 7.9%, PPT up 6.7%, QAN up 6.1%, PDN up 4.9%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: QAN up 5.4%, WHC up 3.2%, VED up 2.3%, REC up 2.1%, BDR up 2%.

Ore price down for 8 days, ~2-yr lows & near 5-yr low. Ore price ~34% lower YTD.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: CVO up 4.5%, MMS up 3.8%, BRU up 3.8%, AGO up 3.4%, LYC up 3.2%.

All Ords +0.1% to 5638.5. Gains in healthcare, financials & telco industries keeping mkt positive. Miners -0.1% & energy -0.4%

7 days of gains – impressive in ex-dividend environment. Miners -0.36%.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: IRE up 6.9%, SUL up 6.4%, TPI up 4.8%, REA up 4%, AMP up 3.4.

Stocks at lunch; AMC+4%, IVC+3%, TOL+6% post results.

Local shares steadily improved this afternoon to close at 2-wk high. All Ords +0.38% to 5580.6. All sectors firmer.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: MFG up 3.9%, SRX up 2.3%, MGX up 2.1%, SKC up 1.9%, OZL up 1.9%.

Almost every sector on the ASX 200 rose on Thursday, miners were under pressure following declines in commodity prices.

Busy day for the markets – The ASX slightly higher, with Telstra (TLS) in focus after its strong result (NPAT $3.8 Billion) and surprise $1 Billion buyback news. The mining sector under pressure and the Aussie dollar unchanged.

Biggest gains on the ASX50 today: MQG up 1.8%, SGP up 1.7%, AIO up 1.7%, CSL up 1.7%, IPL up 1.6%.

The Australian sharemarket rose for the second day thanks to easing geopolitical tensions. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) added 1.3 per cent and closed above the key 5500pt level for the first time since last Thursday.

In broad terms the ASX 200 was able to maintain the levels that had been established in the early part of the day, although sellers had gained an edge in mid – afternoon trade when the index retreated from 5470 back towards 5455. Buyers returned in the final half hour of trade seeing the market close at 5457.

The local market trades with gain of 33pts at best level at the open.

Biggest gains on the ASX200 so far: BDR up 3.5%, GUD up 2.3%, ABC up 2.3%, NST up 2.2%, PDN up 2.1%

The local market is down 15 points or 0.25% at lunch. Biggest gains on the ASX200 today: AAD up 7.2%, BDR up 5.9%, EVN up 5.4%, RRL up 4.2%, NST up 3.8%

The Australian sharemarket lost ground for the third day despite a strong performance from US shares overnight.

Biggest gains so far on the ASX200 today: COH up 6.7%, LYC up 5%, MGX up 3%, SRX up 2.6%, SIR up 1.8.

All Ords -0.26% to 5533. Only property trusts & consumer staples rose. Retail trade +0.6% in June.

July was the best month in a year for the Oz shares, but All Ords -1.3% today; the worst day in 2 months as all sectors fall.

The ASX 200 ends around session lows with a loss of 76pts or 1.36%. The Index has also shed 0.5% for the week.

All Ords closed at a fresh 6-yr high for the 3rd day. Commonwealth Bank cracked through another record high today; hitting $83.92 at midday.

Aussie dollar falls from US93.21c to US93.08c after the economic data but recovers to US93.15c after investors focus on credit figures.

Despite pulling back a touch from the highs reached at midday, the Australian market still managed to close at a fresh six – year high. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose by 0.6 per cent and improved for the 12th time in 16 trading sessions. With only one day remaining this month, local shares have surged by 4.3 per cent in July; making it the best month in a year for the Australian market.

Despite a late attempt by the market to finish firmer, local shares slipped on the close to end in the red for the second session. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 0.08 per cent, while volume was light ahead of key reports later this week.

Tom Piotrowski provides a mid-session financial market update.

Despite a late attempt by the market to finish firmer, local shares slipped on the close to end in the red for the second session. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) fell 0.08 per cent, wh ile volume was light ahead of key reports later this week.