US stocks continue to rise, led by defensive sectors such as healthcare, but most 'magnificent seven' tech stocks are now in a bear market, with only Meta, Apple and Microsoft above water. Local shares expected to rise today. It's gold stocks and the materials sectors that lead the ASX so far this year. 

Stocks mentioned: Amazon.com, Alphabet, Nvidia, Tesla, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, West African Resources, Evolution Mining, Genesis Minerals, Regis Resources, Fletcher Building, Ventia Services Group, Monadelphous, Worley, Brambles, Atlas Arteria