A solid start to the week with the ASX 200 up 109 points to 8525 (1.3%). Across the board gains, with US futures pointing slightly higher too. Banks were better led by CBA up 1.2% and the Big Bank Basket up to $268.55 (1.1%). Financials were generally firm, even GQG up 0.6% and SOL rising 1.8% as it joined with Genesis to make a bid for MVF at 80c. Insurers rose, QBE up 1.4% and REITs did well, GMG up 2.1% and SGP rallying 2.3%. Industrials in the green, WES up 0.2% and ALL rising 0.5% with TCL up 2.0% and RMD up 2.2% better in healthcare. CSL too had a good day. PME rose 3.5% on new orders in America.  TLS rose1.9 % and REA up 1.9%. Resources were mostly better, BHP up 0.6% with its on/off bid for Anglo, RIO rose 1.1% and FMG up 1.9%. Lithium stocks gave back some recent gains, MIN down 3.2% and PLS down 3.6% with gold miners up, GMD up 1.3% and rare earths also doing better. Oil and gas stocks slid on crude falls, WDS down 1.3% and uranium stocks slightly better.

In corporate news, QUB were approached by Macquarie with a 520c NBIO whilst MVF rose 44.3% on a 80c bid. MYX returned to trade after the Treasurer knocked back the Cossette bid. DRO rose 1.8% after some more news on the recent share sales and a new US MD. IRE soared 8.0% before a trading halt concerning continuous disclosure.

Asian markets better with Japan closed for a holiday, China steady and HK up 2.0%.

European markets set to open higher again.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: GTK, QUB, REH, 4DX, IRE, SAGM, AFG
  • Losers: CXO, C79, LTR, AX1, BOE, WIA, DTR
  • Positive Sectors: Banks. Financials. REITs. Industrials. Gold.
  • Negative Sectors: Lithium.
  • ASX 200 Hi 8527 Lo 8485
  • Big Bank Basket: Up to $268.55 (+1.1%)
  • All-Tech Index: Up 2.3%
  • Gold: Slips to $6262
  • Bitcoin: better at  US$87514
  • AUD: Rises to 64.59c.
  • Asian markets: Japan on holiday. China down 0.6% and HK up 1.4%.
  • US Futures: Dow up 122 Nasdaq up 174
  • 10-year yields steady at 4.45%

MARKET MOVERS

  • GTK +20.6% AGM presentation.
  • QUB +19.4% MAM bids 520c.
  • REH +12.7% broker upgrades.
  • 360 +% tech bounce.
  • AFG +7.6% low volume bounce.
  • LYC +2.3% rare earths bounce.
  • IRE +8.0% trading halt – Disclosure requirements.
  • MVF +44.3% NBIO from SOL.
  • BAP +2.8% new CEO.
  • CBA +1.1% CIO Gavin Munroe resigns.
  • SKS +9.5% broker research.
  • SPD +8.8% Bengwenyama project update.
  • CXO -9.1% LTR -6.5% lithium depressed.
  • AX1 -4.4% broker downgrades.
  • MYX -18.0% trading resumes. Bid is done.
  • PMT -6.9% lithium under pressure.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: Nothing on any volume.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • BHP walks away from fresh Anglo-American tie-up.
  • Australia’s unemployment rate is gradually rising as the government-led jobs boom slows, leaving the private sector to drive growth, according to Deloitte Access Economics’ November 2025 employment forecasts.
  • White-collar jobs grew just 0.8% in 2024-25, while blue-collar employment is expected to fall 0.3%in 2025-26.
  • Bitcoin declined for the fifth time in six sessions, giving up some of its gains from the weekend.
  • Chinese aluminum smelter Chuangxin Industries Holdings Ltd. gained in its Hong Kong trading debut after an initial public offering that raised HK$5.5bn.
  • Japan reaffirms plan to deploy missiles near Taiwan.
  • US and Ukraine report progress in talks on peace plan with Russia.
  • Moderna is most shorted stock in S&P 500 as Americans skip jabs.

And finally….

When I’m around my Spanish friends I like to use the word mucho.
It means a lot to them.