The ASX 200 kicked off May with a 19-point gain to 8146. Some Asian markets closed today as are some European markets. US futures showing a very positive session, given the results from Meta and Microsoft. Banks held firm with CBA up 0.4% and the Big Bank Basket flat at $265.81 (0.2%). Other financials did ok too, PTM rose 11.4% as Kerr Neilsen sold out to LSF. Merger talks are on. HUB rose 2.3% and PNI up 0.9%. MQG continue to miss out closing down 0.3%. REITs were positive, with a focus on data centres, given the Azure results from Microsoft. GMG up 3.4% and DGT up 6.3%. Industrials also in favour, WTC rallied 6.6% and XRO up 3.2% as tech found big buyers. REA up 0.4% and retail stocks continuing to find buyers. JBH up 0.8% and BAP up 2.4% with travel stocks better too. WOW and COL better too as results cheer.  Resources were in a world of pain. LYC fell 3.4% on possible moves from China, iron ore stocks dropped, BHP down 0.9% and PLS under pressure. Gold miners were mixed, NST fell another 0.8% with EVN off 1.3% as copper rallied after a sobering day yesterday. OBM bounced 3.0% and SPR rose 2.0%. Uranium stocks back in demand after a day’s rest. DYL up % with BOE up % and PDN up %. Oil and gas stocks fell, WDS down 2.6%. In corporate news, PTM was a focus with JDO chopped down to size on an update. DXB rose 41.9% on a good licensing deal. In economic news, the BoJ kept rates unchanged. Asian markets were disrupted by holidays in China. Japan up 1.1%. 10-year yields at 4.19%.

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