The ASX’s rally extended into the midweek session with the key index closing 1.74% higher today, buoyed by another surge in technology stocks. The only sector to end today’s session lower was consumer staples stocks, which ended the day down just 0.04%.

The big four banks rallied today after all four passed on the RBA’s latest 0.25% rate hike to customers on a variable interest rate loan. CBA also raised its savings rates for customer with Netbank Saver, GoalSaver and YouthSaver accounts.

 Taking a look at the winning stocks of the session, Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) soared almost 12% today despite no price sensitive news out of the biopharmaceutical company today. Hub24 (ASX:HUB) also jumped 9.7% today amid the surge in technology stocks. Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) rounds out the top three winners for today’s session, as the fintech company ended the day up just under 7.5%.

 Block Inc rounds out the top three winners for today’s session, as the fintech company ended the day up just under 7.5% on the back of a strong session on the Nasdaq overnight for Block shares in addition to a bullish broker note out of Deutsche Bank.

On the losing end of the market, Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) tumbled 7.8% despite announcing it has launched a Pre-feasibility study for the Moblan lithium project, targeting further expansion of its Quebec lithium base, with the PFS expected to be complete by May 2023. Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) fell 4.8% today and Sims (ASX:SGM) lost 3.5%.

 The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients today were BetaShares Strong Bear Hedge Fund (ASX:BBOZ) , Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC).

 Final retail sales data for August was released today showing sales rose 0.6% for the month which was in-line with market expectations. A number of Federal Reserve policymakers spoke today, with each pushing the case of the need for the Fed to continue acting aggressively in raising interest rates in the US to cool inflation.