The ASX cracked the 9000 mark, up 101 points at 9019 (1.1%) as results buoyed sentiment. Some crackers today and, once again, plenty of volatility — even intraday.

Banks provided the groundwork with CBA up 0.8% and ANZ again doing very well, up 1.5%, with the Big Bank Basket rising to $288.84 (%). MQG had a good day, and financials generally did well. NWL was volatile post-results, down 0.6%, with GQG spurting 4.9% higher. ZIP also did well ahead of results tomorrow, up 2.6%.

Insurers slipped a little, REITs firmed, SGP up 3.6% and SCG rising 1.3%. Industrials were firm too, TLS up 0.8% with WES running 2.5% higher. WOW and COL had good days as well, and BXB shot the lights out with results up 13.2%. CSL found bargain hunters up 2.4%. SHL smashed on results down 12.8%.

Retailers continued to find favour, SUL hit record highs, up 12.3%. NCK gained 2.5%, and MYR rallied 4.0%. BRG also had a solid post-numbers bounce, up 4.9%.

In resource land, BHP was again positive, up 0.7%, with RIO and FMG stronger too. Gold miners enjoyed a bullion rise, and results from NST, VAU, and GMD were somewhat mixed. Lithium stocks were back in favour, PLS up 5.2% with MIN higher 4.5%, and LYC also doing well, up 4.5%. JHX continued to be walloped, down 9.4%.

Oil and gas names were stronger on crude rises, WDS up 1.3% with BPT up 1.2%. Coal stocks improved, and uranium was generally firm.

In corporate news, some cracking results today: SUL, BGA, with IPH falling 19.5% as it warned on US patent impacts. GMG eased 1.4%, with results in line, while QUB fell 0.4% on a large write-down. MP1 fought back from an early drop to close only modestly lower. TLX jumped 7.0% after a wobbly start.

Nothing much on the economic front.

Asian markets mixed again, Japan down 0.6%, China up 0.5% and HK down 0.3%

European markets opening flat. US Dow futures down 44 Nasdaq unchanged.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: RDX, OCL, MAF, BXB, ASG, SUL, VAU, CDA, RIC
  • Losers: IPH, HLS, SHL, JHX, ACL, GWA, EOS, SXE
  • Positive Sectors: Everything.
  • Negative Sectors: Nothing
  • ASX 200 Hi 9019 Lo 8957. Closes on high.
  • Big Bank Basket: Rises to $288.84 (+0.6%)
  • All-Tech Index: Up 0.7%.
  • Gold: rises to $5196
  • Bitcoin: Falls to US$113980
  • 10-year yield falls to 4.27%.
  • AUD: Down to 64.26c.
  • Asian markets – Japan down 0.7%, China up 0.7% and HK unchanged.
  • US futures – Opening slightly lower. DJ down 44 – Nasdaq up 4.
  • European markets set to open up flat.

MARKET MOVERS

  • RDX +23.8% Results
  • OCL +20.5% Results
  • MAF +13.8% Results
  • ASG +13.1% Results
  • SUL +12.3% Results
  • VAU +11.9% Results
  • BXB +13.2% Results
  • DOW +5.9% Results
  • GQG +4.9% finding support.
  • PLS +5.2% lithium fans.
  • AUC +20.7% Katanning gold project acquisition.
  • GG8 +11.8% High grade discovery at Happy Jack.
  • LRM +11.5% premium grade natural rutile at Minta.
  • SRL +11.7% change of director’s interest.
  • IPH -19.5% Results
  • HLS -13.6% Results
  • SHL -12.9% Results
  • JHX -9.4% downgrades.
  • GWA -5.9% ex dividend.
  • SXE -5.6% ho hum results.
  • EOS -5.6% profit taking continues.
  • KLR -82.4% crashes back to earth.
  • VEE -12.1% Results
  • RFG -6.8% broker downgrades.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: AYA +37.7% Good volume too. FDA clearance of Salix Coronary plaque model.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • Vice President JD Vance said negotiations over ending Russia’s war in Ukraine are focused on security guarantees for Ukraine and territory Russia wants to control.
  • China turns against Nvidia’s AI chip after ‘insulting’ Lutnick remarks.
  • Fed governor Lisa Cook says she will not be ‘bullied’ into resigning.
  • Fox launches streaming service in attempt to reach younger viewers.
  • Euro zone and U.K. purchasing managers’ index data today.
  • Walmart to report pre-US market.

And finally….

An Irishman was terribly overweight, so his doctor put him on a diet.

‘I want you to eat regularly for 2 days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for 2 weeks. The next time I see you, you should have lost at least 5 pounds.’

When the Irishman returned, he shocked the doctor by having lost nearly 60lbs!

‘Why, that’s amazing!’ the doctor said, ‘Did you follow my instructions?’

The Irishman nodded…‘I’ll tell you though, by jaesuz, I t’aut I were going to drop dead on dat 3rd day.’

‘From the hunger, you mean?’ asked the doctor.

‘No, from the bloody skippin’!

Clarence

XXXX