ASX 200 rose 29 points to 6954 (+0.4%) ahead of NFPs tonight. Banks led the charge higher with the Big Bank Basket at $175.74 (+1.2%). CBA up 1.1%, with WBC the standout, up 2.1%. Insurers rallied, QBE up 2.7%, and MQG doing better up 0.5%, but MFG fell 18.5% on lower FUM numbers again. REITs slightly easier after a good day yesterday. GMG down 0.9% and SGP down 0.5%. Healthcare mixed, although CSL finding some support, up 0.3%. RMD eased 1.7% after gains yesterday. Industrials slightly better, WOW up 0.3% and COL doing well up 0.6%, with Tech relatively flat. The All-Tech Index flat, with XRO falling 0.6%. Meanwhile, in resources, lithium stocks remained under pressure as brokers rushed to downgrade. PLS down 0.8%, and IGO falling another 4.4%. Iron ore miners are better, BHP up 1.2%, with gold miners finding some friends. EVN up 2.5%, and NST up 1.3% on some bargain hunting. Oil stocks eased slightly as crude steadied a little, WDS down 0.4%. In corporate news, RIO rose 1.1% on news of a US$100m loan to infrastructure builders for Simantou in Guinea. GQG rallied 3.1% on FUM news. In economic news, the RBA released its latest financial stability report, showing no significant rise in loan issues as employment stays strong. Asian markets mixed as Golden Week nears an end. HK up strongly. European markets to open around 0.4% higher. 10-year yields steady at 4.54%. Dow Futures down 35 points. NASDAQ Futures down 5 points. 

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.