AUSTRALIA – Shares of Beach Energy Limited (ASX:BPT) and Independence Group NL (ASX:IGO) were the top gainers in today’s trading session at the Australian Stock Exchange.

Beach Energy, an Australian-based company engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production, saw its shares gaining 15.09 percent to trade at 0.610 at the close. A total of 26.56 million shares exchanged hands.

Independence Group, meanwhile, saw its stock up 8.64 percent in today’s trading to close at 3.27 a share. Independence Group NL is engaged in mineral exploration, nickel, copper and zinc mining and the development of the Tropicana Gold Project.

A total of 9.55 million Independence Group NL’s shares exchanged hands in today’s trading.

The S&P/ASX200 was up 1.3 percent in today’s trading session, joining its regional peers in posting gains following the release of the minutes of the September meeting of the US Federal Reserve.

Minutes of the September 16-17 meeting of Federal Reserve officials showed that the decision to delay the rate increase was based on China’s economic slowdown and the possible weakening of the US economy and inflation.

The S&P/ASX200 gained 69.3 points to 5,297.7 points today. – BusinessNewsAsia.com

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