ASX 200 rallied into the weekend with the index up 17 points to 7155 (+0.2%). For the week, the index fell 1.7% on mainly debt woes, and lack of our own Nvidia. Banks and resources were better today, the Big Bank Basket up to $168.78 (+0.35%) as yields continue to push higher and WBC becomes the latest bank to cancel its cashback offer on home loans. War is over it seems. Insurers doing well on the back of yields rising, even money managers better today. REITs conversely under pressure on higher rates, GMG down 0.6% and MGR off 1.7%. Healthcare in ICU today, CSL down 0.7% with RMD off 1.7% and FPH underwhelming on results falling 6.3%. Tech once again better, WTC continues to push higher despite global growth concerns perhaps, XRO slipped slightly with TNE and ALU both better, and chip wannabes BRN and WBT finding friends today. The All-Tech Index rose another 0.9%. Bit of short covering in retail land, DMP up 2.9%, Travel better CTD up 2.2% and LOV up 1.2%. KGN up 3.3% too. Switching gears to resources and a better day as iron ore stabilised, BHP up 1.4% and FMG bouncing hard up 3.3%. Lithium stocks mixed, SYA tapping investors for another $200m at the same price they did a year ago. Gold miners continue to drift lower and oil and gas stocks down too with coal in not such a merry place.

In corporate news, IVC held its AGM and gave a positive outlook statement, LFS down 3.5% after a profit warning following its cyberattack.
On the economic front, retail sales in April were flat. This follows a 0.4% rise in March. Asian market mixed again and yields up to 3.74%. US Futures drifting ahead of debt talks and a long weekend. Dow Futuires down 44 and Nasdaq down 17.

Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert insights and research and become a better investor.

Make life simple. Invest with Marcus Today.