The ASX 200 kicked another 42 points higher at 8987 (0.5%), heading towards records. Banks were solid, CBA up % and ANZ up %. The Big Bank Basket up to $288.49 (+0.4%). Wealth managers kicked too, MQG up 1.8% and NWL rising 1.0%. Insurers slid slightly, QBE down 1.4% and MPL off 0.8%. REITs ok, DGT pushed 11.7% higher on a company upgrade. Healthcare was once again doing ok, CSL up 0.8% and RMD up 3.0%. Tech also rallied, WTC up0.3 % and XRO finding buyers up 1.7%. Retail better too, JBH up 0.8% and APE rose 17.9% after trading resumed on the Canadian acquisition.

Resources were flying in places, LYC up 3.1% and MEI up 14.3% on an announcement, Gold miners took a moment, NST down 1.7% and EVN off 1.5%. The Big Three iron ore miners rose slightly with oil and gas down, STO off 2.2% and uranium taking a pause. Lithium stocks gained again, PLS up 2.4% and IPX up 3.9%.

In corporate news, TLS fell 0.6% on a $18m fine from the regulator. KLS rose 1.4% as some ferry launches were pushed back. MSB surged 8.7% as its Ryoncil got formal recognition.

Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets better, Japan up 1.8%. HK down 1% with China closed.

10-year yields steady at 4.33%

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: CU6, DTR, APE, 4DX, DGT, DRO, MTM, MSB
  • Losers: RAC, LIN, FFM, MEK, DVP, CYL
  • Positive Sectors: Banks. Tech. REITs. Retail. Lithium.
  • Negative Sectors: Utilities. Gold miners. Oil and gas. Uranium.
  • ASX 200 Hi 8996 Lo 8928 Up 2.2% for the week.
  • Big Bank Basket: rallies to $287.36 (+0.4%)
  • All-Tech Index: Up 1.6%
  • Gold: eases to $5835.
  • Bitcoin: Better at US$120,089
  • AUD: drifts to 65.90c.
  • In Asian markets – China National Day continues- Japan up 1.8%.
  • 10-year yields steady at 4.33%.
  • US futures – Dow up 87 Nasdaq up 70
  • European markets set to open around 0.2% higher.  

MARKET MOVERS

  • DTR +19.3% continues to go crazy.
  • CU6 +19.3% biotechs in favour.
  • APE +17.9% markets like acquisition.
  • DGT +11.7% company upgrades outlook.
  • 4DX +11.9% options bring cash.
  • DRO +9.7% good bounce again.
  • MTM +9.6% rock and roll.
  • MSB +8.7% receives code for reimbursement.
  • ARU +7.5% rare earths in focus.
  • ATC +20.8% UPS Batteries for explosives.
  • MEI +14.3% buffer zone consent.
  • DRE +15.4% option to acquire strategic landholding in Mid-West.
  • RAC -12.6% profit taking.
  • FFM -4.5% profit taking.
  • BOE -2.9% initial director’s interest.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: CGR +68.6% Strategic gold tenements secured at Panhandle project.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • China closed. No NFP tonight as US government closed.
  • Snowy Hydro project costs blow out yet again.
  • Japanese conglomerate Hitachi soared over 9% Friday after it announced late Thursday a partnership with OpenAI to build artificial-intelligence infrastructure and data centers globally.
  • Traders scour private data to gauge US jobs slowdown amid BLS turmoil
  • Global Infrastructure Partners is in advanced talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers in a transaction that could value Aligned at about US$40bn.
  • Australia rolls out ‘ghost bats and sharks’ in historic defence spending spree.
  • Japan’s ruling party edges towards picking youngest leader in a century.
  • Italy’s deficit will fall to 3% this year, predicts government.

And finally….

A few years ago robbers entered a bank in a small town.

One of them shouted: “Don’t move! The money belongs to the bank. Your lives belong to you.

Immediately all the people in the bank laid on the floor quietly and without panic.

This is an example of how the correct wording of a sentence can make everyone change their view of the world.

One woman lay on the floor.

The robber approached her saying, “Ma’am, this is a robbery. Please behave accordingly.”

This is an example of how to behave professionally, and focus on the goal.

While running from the bank the youngest robber (who had a college degree) said to the oldest robber (who had barely finished elementary school): “Hey, maybe we should count how much we stole?”

The older man replied: “Don’t be stupid. It’s a lot of money, so let’s wait for the news on TV to find out how much money was taken from the bank.”

This is an example of how life experience is more important than a degree

After the robbery, the manager of the bank said to his accountant:

“Let’s call the cops and tell them how much has been stolen.”

“Wait”, said the Accountant, “before we do that, let’s add the $800,000 we took for ourselves a few months ago and just say that it was stolen as part of today’s robbery.”

This is an example of taking advantage of an opportunity.

The following day it was reported in the news that the bank was robbed of $ 3 million.

The robbers counted the money, but they found only $1 million so they started to grumble.

“We risked our lives for $1 million, while the bank’s management robbed two million dollars without blinking?  Maybe it’s better to learn how to work the system, instead of being a simple robber.”

This is an example of how knowledge can be more useful than power.

Moral:  Give a person a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a person a bank, and he can rob everyone.

Clarence

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