Australian market barely steady

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 29

Australian market barely steady

Prices moved in a narrow range on light volume on Australian stock exchanges yesterday, with brokers reporting underlying buying support but buyers preferring not to chase stocks. The fall in the consumer price index of 0.4 per cent for the March quarter strengthened industrial stocks in afternoon trading. At the close, the all-ordin-aries index was down 0.5 at 755.4 with the all-industrials up 0.9 at 994.9, and the allresources off 1.6 at 565.4.

BHP was steady at 1140 and its Timor Sea oil exploration partner Weeks Australia rose 4c to 172. Metals retreated with CRA down 10 at 606 c, WMC at 425 and Reinson 350 both down sc, while MIM at 350, Bougainville 253, North Broken Hill 268, and Seltrust 108 were off 2c each.

Golds were mixed, with Central Norseman off 20 at 590 and Emperor up 5c at 425. Coal stocks eased, but uranium leaders were steady.

Santos at 676 and AOD

73c were up 4c, and Bridge rose 5c to 285. Woodside added 1c to 126 on high volume. Hartogen at 295 and Vamgas 340 fell sc.

Partners in the South Pepper No. 4 well eased after a report that the well was at its total depth. Testing is about to start.

Woolworths rose 8c to 240 and Myers fell 2c to 193 in a generally stronger retail sector.

Media stocks firmed: News Corp rose 10c at 1040; Herald and Weekly at 335 and Fairfax 495 rose sc. Industrials.— ACI, 186; ANI, 270; ANZ, 568; APM, 201; ASCPrp, 100; AWA, 440; AdelStm, 450; Amatil, 352; Ampol, 175; Ariadne, 59; BHP, 1135 and rts 372; BellG, 530; BondCorp, 135; Boral, 363; Brambles, 300; Bundaberg, 268; BurnsP, 355; CIG, 275; CSR, 370; CUB, 405; Cmaine, 460; Clyde, 165; Coles, 374; Comalco, 305; Dunlop, 170; EZI, 546; Elders, 402 and opt 87 67; Email, 170; Fairfax, 495; Fibre, 400; Forestwd, 140; GPT, 210 and nts 203; GGotch, 315; Hanimex, 80; Hardie, 345; Herald, 335; Hooker, 166; Humes, 143; ICI, 215; . IndEquit, 576:

Jennings, 155; DJones, 440; LLease, 500; LifeSav, 298; MLC, 1900; MayneNic, 255; McPherson, 130; Monier, 167; Myer, 193; NZForest dd, 230; NatAust, 360; NatCns, 135; News Corp, 1040; Nicholas, 270; Oakbridge, 92; PioneerC, 162; Pioneers, 112; QBE, 500; Reckitt, 262; Repco, 117; Sleigh,' 138; HSmith, 385; Soul Pat, 870; Stockland, 150; TNT, 190; Tooth, 530; Walton, 52; Westpac, 385; Wwths, 240; Wormaid, 320.

Mining.— Aberfoyle, 650; Ashton, 116; AustDev, 32; Bouganvle, 253; CNGold, 590; CRA, 606; Carrßoyd, 118; Cudgen, 190; ERA, 140; Emperor, 425; GMKalg, 990; GoldCopp, 36; Hlll5O, 34; MIM, 350; Mallina, 14; MetalsEx, 55; MidEMin, 50; NorthßH, 268; NthFlndr, 205; Pancont, 138; Paringa, 90; Peko, 506; Poseidon, 475; QldCoal, 118; Queen Mar, 21; RGC, 350; Southland, 38; Tansminex, 70; WMC, 425; West Sand, 121; Woodsreef, 9.

Oils.- AOGas, 106; AOD, 73; AmpolExp, 426; Beach, 53; Bridge, 285; Hartogen, 295; Magellan, 200; Oil Search, 24; Pancont, 27; Santos, 676; Stirling, 7; Vamgas, 340; Weeks Pet, 510; Woodside, 126.