The All Ordinaries index gained 9.2 points to end the day 0.21% higher at 4,351.9.
Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) gained 0.32% to close at $3.17 after announcing a Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $143.5m for the six months to 31 March 2012, a decrease of 13% on the previous corresponding period (pcp). The result was due to poor trading conditions across the fertiliser business (EBIT fell 56% versus pcp to $61m). This contrasts with the explosives businesses which witnessed a 21% increase in earnings due to mining-related demand.