ASX lifts in late jump; AMP halts amid chief speculation

Australia's sharemarket rose slightly thanks to a late jump on Thursday. AMP in trading halt but says CEO remains after exit speculation.

Global markets offered a mixed lead to Australian stocks. Picture: AAP

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 0.2% at 6790.6 after jumping 16 points in the closing match. AMP issued a brief statement saying CEO Francesco de Ferrari remained in the job having earlier called a trading halt after its shares dropped following media speculation about his future at the company.

Overnight on Wall Street, the Dow ended the day near flat, down less than 0.1 per cent. The S&P 500 declined 0.6 per cent and the Nasdaq lost 2 per cent. Locally, half-year results are expected from Washington H Soul Pattinson and Brickworks.