Strong commodity prices have helped balance Australia's stockmarket despite fossil fuels dipping as investors weighed the news of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces.
The S&P/ASX200 edged 0.8 points higher on Monday, up 0.01 per cent to 8,728.6, as the broader All Ordinaries fell seven points, or 0.02 per cent, to 9,034.7.
Only raw materials and utilities stocks ended the day clearly higher as a bounce in iron ore prices boosted large-cap giants BHP and Fortescue, while Rio Tinto jumped more than one per cent to a new intraday peak of $150.14.
Fossil fuel groups Woodside and Santos gave up early gains to slip roughly 1 per cent by the close, tracking with oil price volatility after US forces bombed Venezuela and captured Maduro at the weekend.
The Australian dollar is buying 66.70 US cents, down from 66.94 US cents on Friday at 5pm.
