The ASX 200 started the week on a strong note, up 122 points to 8,894 +1.4%), as most sectors of the market rallied hard, with the exception of oil and gas, as Trump's threat of a massive attack on Iran was wound back and US futures rallied. The banking sector was once again solid, with CBA up 1.2% and ANZ up 1.2%, with the Big Bank Basket at $291.58 (+1.2%). MQG also rallied again, and other financials were back in the green. Insurers also rose, led by QBE up 1.4%. The REIT sector was also good today, led by GMG up 3.2% and CHC up 2.8%. Industrials too had a significantly better day, with the tech sector firing for a change: XRO up 6.0% and WTC up 7.0%, with TNE rallying too, along with REA, CAR and SEK. TLS had a good day. QAN brushed off the latest Alan Joyce novel and rose 3.6% on lower oil prices. Meanwhile, resources had a solid day: BHP up 2.1%, RIO up 2.2%, and the gold miners also doing well today. We had some corporate action with EVN bidding for CNB in a script bid. VAU also had a good day, together with CMM, on a resource upgrade. Even the lithium stocks chimed in today, with LTR up 3.4% and PLS up 2.7%. Meanwhile, oil and gas stocks WDS and STO fell around 3%, and uranium and coal stocks also a little bit easier.
In corporate news, MYR fell 12.0% after it said a sharp slowdown in consumer spending late in the financial year weighed on margins. PPT had another bid from EQT of $22.50, and EVN bid for CNB. Nothing today on the economic front as we await the CPI on Wednesday.
Asian markets were mixed, Nikkei 225 up 0.3%, HK up 0.8% and China 0.3% - Korea up 0.8%. US futures up 400 for Dow, 414 for Nasdaq.
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