Another day, another record high as the ASX 200 rose 47 points to 9174 (0.5%). Banks missed the memo today, the Big Bank Basket fell to $309.01 (-0.5%) with ANZ a winner. MQG too rallied a little, up 1.2% and other financials also rallied, AMP up 3.9% and ZIP rallying another 5.4%. GQG also had a better day up 2.3% with PPT up 8.3% on results. Insurers flat. REITs better, GMG up 1.2% and SCG rising 1.9%. Industrials were better with the healthcare sector rising, CSL up 0.6% and COH rising 0.9%. Tech stocks were back in vogue, WTC jumped another 2.6% with XRO up 8.6% and the All-Tech Index flying 3.8% higher. REA and CAR also caught the optimism. WOW and COL pushed ahead, Agri stocks were also firm following RIC results. ELD up 2.8% and A2M up 1.4%.
In resources, BHP hitting fresh records, up 2.2% with RIO playing catch up rallying 3.7%. FMG fell slightly. Gold miners took a breather with lithium stocks roaring on moves from Zimbabwe to limit exports of critical metals. PLS rallied another 8.3% to record highs, MIN up 4.0% and LTR dropping 8.6% on a large block trade indigestion. BSL dropped 2.3% as the board rejected the SGH bid. Energy stocks eased, WDS down 1.1% and PDN fell 4.2% with DYL off 4.4%.
In corporate news, QAN fell on a weaker outlook, LYC rose 1.2% on better than expected results, NEU jumped 5.7% on DAYBUE sales numbers, WOR stumbled 10.2% on worse than expected results. DRO rallied 8.9% on some new orders out of Europe and SUL jumped 8.4% on better numbers. CTT went flat on results falling 25.6%.
On the economic front, Private new capital expenditure (capex) rose 0.4% in the December quarter.
Asian markets came back online with Japan up 0.9%. China down 0.2% and HK down 0.4%.
10-year yields steady at 4.70%
US Futures slightly weaker despite Nvidia results beating forecasts. DJ down 0.2% Nasdaq down 0.3%.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Winners: AX1, RIC, AEF, MP1, NXL, TLX, ELS
- Losers: WOR, QAN, LTR, OCL, SMR, SHA, ORA
- Positive Sectors: Iron ore. Lithium. Tech. Healthcare. REITs. Financials.
- Negative Sectors: Gold miners. Uranium. Oil and gas.
- ASX 200 Hi 9203 Lo 9164 New record high. BHP the star.
- Big Bank Basket: Falls to $309.01 (-0.5%)
- All-Tech Index: Up 3.8%
- Gold: Steady at $7295
- Bitcoin: Rises to US$69318
- 10-year yields: Steady at 4.70%
- AUD: 71.29c
- Asian markets – Japan up 0.3%. China down 0.2% and HK down 0.4%
- US Futures down slightly.
MARKET MOVERS
- AX1 +17.1% screams higher after results.
- RIC +15.9% positive results.
- MP1 +12.6% another bounce.
- IEL +7.6% better than expected results.
- RHC +10.4% results cheer.
- AEF +13.7% results cheer.
- DRO +8.9% new orders.
- PLS +8.3% heading for record high.
- GYG +7.8% buyback update.
- XRO +8.6% tech rally.
- BXN +15.4% stronger results and guidance.
- EOL +9.2% broker upgrades.
- WOR -10.2% results disappoint.
- LTR -8.6% large seller/ block trade.
- QAN -9.2% results and outlook soft.
- OCL -8.0% results presentation.
- CTT -25.6% results fail.
- ART -5.9% results.
- ANG -30.2% results presentation.
- Speculative Stock of the Day: None on any volume.
ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS
- Private new capital expenditure (capex) rose 0.4% in the December quarter to be 7.8% higher than the December quarter last year (seasonally adjusted.

- IMF urges US to change course on economic policy.
- Defence and AI spending sends global debt to record $348tn.
- Top European football clubs lost more than €1bn last year.
- Aston Martin chair Stroll not considering sale of luxury carmaker, says CEO.
- South Korea hit another record high on chip stocks and no change to rates.
- Iranian – US talks begin today. WMD again?
And finally…..

Clarence
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