The ASX200 has been trading flat at 8,284 points in afternoon trade.
Gold has bounced back to US$2,588 per ounce as investors move part of their portfolios back to the safe-haven commodity.
Meanwhile, Iron Ore has continued its decline and has been US$98.90 per tonne in Singapore.
To the sectors, Utilities has been the strongest performer, up 1.8%, followed by Energy, up 1.45%, and Materials, up 1.15%. Health Care and Information Technology have been the biggest losers, both down 1.1%, followed by Financials, down 0.7%.
Company News
Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG) has been down 3.7% on news its paid its first US$80 million to the Mali junta government. The company’s CEO was detained in Mali by its junta government, who last week asked Resolute for US$160 million.
Resolute Mining has been 38.8 cents.
National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) has been down nearly 1% on news ASIC is taking the bank to court for failing to address around 350 customer hardship applications.
NAB has been $38.85.
Estrella Resources Ltd (ASX:ESR) has been up 10% after hitting two in-situ supergene manganese (Mn) discoveries in Timor-Leste, with grades of up to 63.4% manganese.
This ranks as one the highest grades found at the site so far.