The ASX 200 marched back 77 points to 8639 (0.9%), new highs as jobs numbers opened the doors to an August rate cut. Banks led the charge, nothing new there, with CBA up % and the Big Bank Basket up to $283.65 (+1.5%). MQG rallied 0.9% with other financials doing well, GQG bouncing back 1.8% with IFL up 2.3% and XYZ gaining 5.1%. REITs firmed too on lower rates, GMG up 0.8% and SCG up 1.9%. Healthcare better too, COH up 2.3% and RHC rising 1.7%. Industrials firmed, CPU up 3.0% with ALL rallying 0.6% and the tech stocks better, XRO up 1.7% and WTC rising 0.4%. Retailers better too, HVN up 2.4% and LOV up 1.7%. 

In resources, FMG rose 0.3% with RIO up 0.5% as iron ore hit a two-month high. A little bounce in lithium, PLS up 1.9% and LTR rising 1.8% after early losses. Gold miners weakened despite a bullion rise. NEM up 1.6% and NST off 0.5%. Rare earths took a breather. Uranium stocks flat, as was oil and gas.

In corporate news, CAR had a trading update, and the CEO resigned, falling 2.9%. PBH saw another bid from BBT. Some quarterlies in GMD and STO.

In economic news, Jobs numbers worse that forecasts with only 2k new jobs instead of 20k and unemployment rose to 4.3%.

Asian markets firmed as 10-year yields dipped to 4.35%. Asian markets mixed. Japan up 0.2%, HK up 0.2%, China up 0.4%.

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