Wall Street continued to reach new heights as a stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report reinforced the strength of the US economy and Nvidia approached a valuation of $4T, coming close to breaking Apple’s record as the most valuable company ever. S&P 500 up 0.83%, Nasdaq up 1.02%. Dow rose early in the day and steadied from about 11am onwards, ending the session near its high. Up 344 points. All sectors up with the worst performing sector, Materials, remaining flat after a positive Wednesday. Financials the best performer, positive reaction to nonfarm payrolls and underlying strength of US economy. Tech a close second. ServiceNow and Crowdstrike both recorded gains of around 3.5%. Nvidia gained 1.3% as it comes close to becoming the most valuable company ever. Utilities was the third best performing sector, demonstrating the breadth of the previous session’s euphoria – yields ticked up after nonfarm payrolls dashed hopes of a July cut, should have dampened Utilities performance.

ASX to rise. SPI futures up 26 points (+0.3%).

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ASX 200 down 2 to 8596 on a volatile day as banks saw selling and money move to BHP and other resources. CBA was down for another day, as its now four out of five down days closing off % with the Big Bank Basket down to $282.16% (-1.6%). ANZ outperformed up 0.5%. Financials under pressure across the board, MQG down 0.8% and insurers falling hard. QBE off 2.2% and SUN down 3.4%. Defensives generally on the nose, TLS down 1.2% and REA off 3.4% with WES falling 2.0% together with WOW and COL. Tech mixed as XRO fell again and WTC up 1.2% despite more front-page news! Healthcare mixed, CSL up 0.5% and PME racing 7.8% ahead on news of two contract wins. Resources were the stars today, at least BHP up 5.6% with RIO and FMG also up but more modestly, around 1.8%. Gold miners finding some friends, NEM up 1.4% and WAF up 1.3%. Lithium stocks better, PLS up 11.3% with LTR rising 5.0%, MIN up 7.8% with coal stocks also back in favour, WHC up 8.2%. Uranium stocks eased back. WDS and STO slightly better.

In corporate news, GLF rose 4.1% on its debit. VGN sinking 1.9% towards issue price. RPL ran 9.3% on $35m performance fee. On the economic front we had the trade balance numbers. Asian markets mixed, Japan unchanged, China up 0.6% and HK down 0.8%.

10-year yields rising to 4.18%

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Wall Street reached new highs as Tech stocks rallied and a trade agreement with Vietnam helped to calm nerves about a prolonged trade war. S&P 500 up 0.47%, Nasdaq up 0.94%. Dow fell at open, recovered and rose further, peaking at midday, and finished the session in the middle of its range. Down 11 points. Most sectors up. Energy led the charge, following oil up which rose 3% as Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. Materials also up, rising as the Vietnam trade deal eased global trade concerns – economically sensitive sector. Tech and Cyclicals also did well. Chip stocks bounced, Nvidia rising 2.6%, while Apple continued its good week, up 2.2% without major news. Tesla also rallied 5%, a partial recovery from yesterday’s losses, despite the headlines surrounding the EV maker continuing to be negative with focus on how this year will be the second year of shrinking sales. Healthcare, Utilities and Cyclicals were all in the red. Uptick in yields hurt the latter two.

SPI down 17 - Iron ore up 2.5% on Chinese moves - Resources to shine

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ASX 200 marched 28 points higher to 8561 (0.3%). After a tepid start, US futures kicked higher on trade deal hopes, dragging the ASX with it. Small closing sell-off from highs. Banks steady after early losses, the basket up to $287.13 (%). MQG up 3.9% on a broker upgrade, financials and insurers better too. NWL up 2.4% and IAG rising 1.7%. Healthcare got a kick, CSL up 2.2% and PME rallying 1.6%. Industrials generally firmed, WES up 0.7% and ALL rallying 1.3% with QAN up 1.8%. VGN dropped 2.8%. Retail stocks higher with JBH up % on EOFY activity. Tech firmed, WTC up % and TNE rising 1.2% as the ALL-Tech Index rose 0.7%. Resources were mired in losses for iron ore miners, BHP, RIO both copping a 1.5%+ loss. Rare earths eased and lithium off too with MIN up 1.6% on sale of its Yilgarn hub. Oil and gas stocks flat with KAR up 1.1% with coal stocks flat and uranium mixed. DYL fell 5.7% with PDN up 0.8%.

In corporate news, JHX rose 7.1% after the Azek vote. DRO fell 4.2% after early gains on a Latam order. Nothing locally on the economic front, China’s factory activity improved for a second month but remained in contraction.

Asian markets mixed, Japan up 0.6%, HK off 0.3% and China up 0.3%

10-Year Yield rising to 4.16%.

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