The ASX cracked the 9000 mark, up 101 points at 9019 (1.1%) as results buoyed sentiment. Some crackers today and, once again, plenty of volatility — even intraday.

Banks provided the groundwork with CBA up 0.8% and ANZ again doing very well, up 1.5%, with the Big Bank Basket rising to $288.84 (1.0%). MQG had a good day, and financials generally did well. NWL was volatile post-results, down 0.6%, with GQG spurting 4.9% higher. ZIP also did well ahead of results tomorrow, up 2.6%.

Insurers slipped a little, REITs firmed, SGP up 3.6% and SCG rising 1.3%. Industrials were firm too, TLS up 0.8% with WES running 2.5% higher. WOW and COL had good days as well, and BXB shot the lights out with results up 13.2%. CSL found bargain hunters up 2.4%. SHL smashed on results down 12.8%.

Retailers continued to find favour, SUL hit record highs, up 12.3%. NCK gained 2.5%, and MYR rallied 4.0%. BRG also had a solid post-numbers bounce, up 4.9%.

In resource land, BHP was again positive, up 0.7%, with RIO and FMG stronger too. Gold miners enjoyed a bullion rise, and results from NST, VAU, and GMD were somewhat mixed. Lithium stocks were back in favour, PLS up 5.2% with MIN higher 4.5%, and LYC also doing well, up 4.5%. JHX continued to be walloped, down 9.4%.

Oil and gas names were stronger on crude rises, WDS up 1.3% with BPT up 1.2%. Coal stocks improved, and uranium was generally firm.

In corporate news, some cracking results today: SUL, BGA, with IPH falling 19.5% as it warned on US patent impacts. GMG eased 1.4%, with results in line, while QUB fell 0.4% on a large write-down. MP1 fought back from an early drop to close only modestly lower. TLX jumped 7.0% after a wobbly start. 

Nothing much on the economic front.

Asian markets mixed again, Japan down 0.6%, China up 0.5% and HK down 0.3%

European markets opening flat. US Dow futures down 44 Nasdaq unchanged.

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