ASX Round-Up: Steady Close for ASX as Gold Companies Thrive

The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) lost 3.1 points today, a decline of less than 0.1 percent, to end at 5324.1 points, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The market opened higher because of good news from the United States, where stocks on Wall Street are performing well due to a low reading for first-time unemployment claims this week. President Barack Obama has also signed a budget agreement, reducing the risk of another government shutdown.
Mining and resource companies were some of today’s top gainers on the ASX. For instance, Medusa Mining (ASX:MML), a gold exploration and development company, gained 6.63 percent, rising to $2.09. Similarly, Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG), which is engaged in gold exploration, development and production, gained 6.6 percent, hitting $0.565. Meanwhile, Alacer Gold (ASX:AQG), which is involved in gold exploration and production in Turkey and Australia, rose 6.08 percent, reaching $2.27.
Today’s top losers on the ASX include Drillsearch Energy (ASX:DLS), an oil and gas exploration, development and production company. It dropped 3.26 percent to a price of $1.335.