The ASX 200 exploded 118 points higher to 8757 (1.4%) as banks and resources caught a wave of buying. BHP production numbers, coupled with iron ore gains in Asia, helped the Big Australian up 3.0%. RIO up 1.8% with FMG lagging only up 0.5%. Lithium and graphite stocks flew, LTR up 10.1% and PLS rallying another 8.6%, with MIN up 4.8% and ILU rising 5.0%. Graphite stocks were in demand, SYR up 25.9%, and TLG up 10.0%. Gold miners found some love late in the day, NST up% % with EVN rising % but uranium stocks dipping slightly. Industrials firmed across the board, WES up 1.4% with TCL up 0.9% and SGH rising 3.0%. Healthcare is too in demand, CSL rallying 3.6% on a broker report, and MSB is living up to its name on revenue, up 34.6%. Tech stocks are better, WTC up 1.2%, and XRO rising 1.0%. Banks, as usual, didn’t want to miss out. CBA up 0.9% with WBC rising 1.8% and MQG up 1.3%. The Big Bank Basket up to $286.78 (+1.1%). Financials are also in demand, IFL is better by 5.8% on reports that a deal is close. Insurers rose, REITS better, GMG up 1.5%, and SGP up 0.9%.

In corporate news, ALX fell 0.4% on US supreme court news, FBU rose 3.0% on a business update. Nothing on the economic front local.

Asian markets mixed, Japan down 0.2% ahead of weekend election, HK up 0.8% and China up 0.4%. 10-year yields steady at 4.33%

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Wall Street recorded a positive session against a backdrop of positive economic surprises. Retail sales rising more than expected and jobless claims falling, while major AI company Taiwan Semiconductors beat earnings expectations. S&P 500 up 0.54%, hitting new highs. Nasdaq up 0.75%. Dow started volatile, seesawing up and down, but found consistent strength from about 1pm onwards. Ended near high, up 230 points. Strong sector breadth. REITS flat and Healthcare dropped after being top performer yesterday, otherwise all sectors up. Financials the best performer, boosted by strong earnings this week. Industrials and Cyclicals followed, both economically sensitive, earnings and retail sales both pointing to the resilience and strength of the US consumer.

ASX to rise. SPI futures up 32 points (+0.37%). BHP Production report - Graphite to shine.

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The ASX 200 marched back 77 points to 8639 (0.9%), new highs as jobs numbers opened the doors to an August rate cut. Banks led the charge, nothing new there, with CBA up % and the Big Bank Basket up to $283.65 (+1.5%). MQG rallied 0.9% with other financials doing well, GQG bouncing back 1.8% with IFL up 2.3% and XYZ gaining 5.1%. REITs firmed too on lower rates, GMG up 0.8% and SCG up 1.9%. Healthcare better too, COH up 2.3% and RHC rising 1.7%. Industrials firmed, CPU up 3.0% with ALL rallying 0.6% and the tech stocks better, XRO up 1.7% and WTC rising 0.4%. Retailers better too, HVN up 2.4% and LOV up 1.7%.

In resources, FMG rose 0.3% with RIO up 0.5% as iron ore hit a two-month high. A little bounce in lithium, PLS up 1.9% and LTR rising 1.8% after early losses. Gold miners weakened despite a bullion rise. NEM up 1.6% and NST off 0.5%. Rare earths took a breather. Uranium stocks flat, as was oil and gas.

In corporate news, CAR had a trading update, and the CEO resigned, falling 2.9%. PBH saw another bid from BBT. Some quarterlies in GMD and STO.

In economic news, Jobs numbers worse that forecasts with only 2k new jobs instead of 20k and unemployment rose to 4.3%.

Asian markets firmed as 10-year yields dipped to 4.35%. Asian markets mixed. Japan up 0.2%, HK up 0.2%, China up 0.4%.

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