ASX Round-Up: Index Ends the Month Up at 5,526.6 Points

On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.92 percent, or 50.4 points, to 5,526.6 points, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. That means the exchange gained in October and has posted a 3.4-percent gain for the year.

In October, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 4.4 percent despite beginning the month with shares on a downward trend. Global economic conditions had a hand in the performance of the index that month.

“It was good to see the U.S. Federal Reserve end QE and sounding more positive about the economy,” Tristan K’Nell, head of trading for Quay Equities, told the Herald. “But while the U.S. economy is improving, China, Japan, Europe and even Australia are struggling a bit and that is driving investors back into safe yield plays.”

Producer and exporter BC Iron (ASX:BCI) was the top resource gainer on Friday, adding $0.06, or 5.39 percent, to trade at $1.08. Development company Liquefied Natural Gas (ASX:LNG) also gained, rising $0.18, or 5.08 percent, to trade at $3.72.

On the other side of the market, Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG), a gold miner and mineral explorer, lost $0.02, or 5.88 percent, coming to trade at $0.32. Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST), another gold producer, also fell, losing $0.06, or 5.17 percent, to trade at $1.10.