Investing.com – Australia stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Energy, Resources and Utilities sectors led shares higher.
At the close in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.04% to hit a new 3-months high.
The best performers of the session on the S&P/ASX 200 were Iluka Resources Ltd (AX:ILU), which rose 5.18% or 0.360 points to trade at 7.310 at the close. Meanwhile, Santos Ltd (AX:STO) added 4.88% or 0.210 points to end at 4.510 and Origin Energy Ltd (AX:ORG) was up 3.97% or 0.260 points to 6.810 in late trade.
The worst performers of the session were Flight Centre Ltd (AX:FLT), which fell 7.88% or 2.600 points to trade at 30.390 at the close. A2 Milk Company Ltd (AX:A2M) declined 6.49% or 0.150 points to end at 2.160 and Resolute Mining Ltd (AX:RSG) was down 5.62% or 0.070 points to 1.175.
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Australia Stock Exchange by 553 to 490 and 301 ended unchanged.
Shares in Origin Energy Ltd (AX:ORG) rose to 52-week highs; gaining 3.97% or 0.260 to 6.810.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, was up 2.21% to 12.807.
Gold for February delivery was down 0.31% or 3.55 to $1158.35 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in January rose 4.82% or 2.48 to hit $53.98 a barrel, while the February Brent oil contract rose 4.21% or 2.29 to trade at $56.62 a barrel.
AUD/USD was up 0.08% to 0.7455, while AUD/JPY rose 0.22% to 86.11.
The US Dollar Index was down 0.01% at 101.59.