By Ashley Jessen

23 July 2013 ASX Market Summary ? Invast Financial Services

Subdued market action overnight in the US combined with new recent one month highs across many commodities gave mixed signals to local traders keeping an eye on the S&P/ASX 200, which climbed steadily over the start of the trading session, only to fall back in the second half. In the end the S&P/ASX 200 managed a sound 15.2 point gain or 0.30% on below average volume of $3.9 billion.

Health Care stocks, such as CSL Limited ((CSL)) pushed steadily higher today, outperforming all others with a 0.82% rise across the sector. Materials finished a close second, rising 0.80% on an overall upbeat day. Two sectors remained in the red with Energy and Utilities the worst performing, falling 0.92% and 0.23% respectively.

Looking over the charts

Today's market action confirms that there are slightly more bulls in control compared to the bears but it would be difficult to say that the bulls are well and truly in control. Overall the recent push higher has failed to impress but instead is plodding along with little to no fanfare The most interesting part of the recent gains is that the market action early tends to be swiftly higher followed by consistent selling down for the remainder of the session. Traders should watch out for this pattern over the next couple of trading sessions.

S&P/ASX 200 Gainers and Losers

Sirius Resources ((SIR)) managed a 13.04% gain after coming off a double bottom pattern, which will provide a little hope for investors who may have held through a 3 month slide in the share price totalling 60%. Transfield Services ((TSE)) closed at the highest price in a month and a half, rising 6.67% and breaking through heavy resistance at $0.95. Like many other stocks across the Australian Stock Exchange, it has come off a 60%+ fall since February/March this year.

Top 5 gainers:

  • SIRIUS RESOURCES +13.04%
  • TRANSFIELD SERVICES +6.67%
  • PANAUST ((PNA)) +5.56%
  • NEWCREST MINING ((NCM)) +5.44%
  • ALACER GOLD CORP ((AQG)) +5.26%

Resolute Mining's ((RSG)) good fortune yesterday rebounded swiftly, giving back 6.25% of yesterdays 16% gain as it formed a dark cloud cover formation as profit takers stood in to take what gains were available. Atlas Iron ((AGO)) shares took a step back from recent gains, falling an uninspiring 6.18% as it drops back below the most recent support at $0.85.

Top 5 Losers:

  • RESOLUTE MINING -6.25%
  • ATLAS IRON -6.18%
  • PERSEUS MINING ((PRU)) -5.51%
  • AQUILA RESOURCES ((AQA)) -3.24%
  • MEDUSA MINING ((MML)) -3.18%