ASX 200 pushed 38 points higher to fresh highs of 8444. Up 0.5%. Banks back in charge with the Big Bank Basket up to $263.13 (0.7). CBA up 0.6% and NAB up 0.9%. Other financials also strong, MQG up 0.4% and insurers firm, QBE post its update rising 1.2%. IAG up 3.6% on acquisition news, ASX bouncing back too. REITS steady. Industrials are also steady but uninspiring. WOW up 0.5% and ALL up 0.3% with healthcare stocks doing very well, PME up 8.7% on a new $330m contract. CSL up 1.6%. Iron ore miners better, BHP up 0.7% with gold miners under a little pressure in places. SPR up % on drill results. In energy, STO continue to fall, PDN down 5.0% and WDS up 0.1%. In corporate news, AVJ caught a bid from PE, SGR held its AGM and fell 7.1% to all-time lows, as new CEO urged patience. MGH in a capital raise and WJL in the sights of the ACCC on pricing. FPH fell 2.1% on profits growing less than hoped. Guidance an issue. HUM rattled on lower dividend warning. In economic news, Private new capital expenditure (capex) rose 1.1% in September quarter 2024. Asian markets mixed, China down 0.8%, HK down 1.3% and Japan up 0.7%. 10-year yields down to 4.36%.

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