Australia Market finishes higher; Materials lead rally
(12:46, 31 Mar 2023)
Australia stock market finished session at three-week high on Friday, 31 March 2023, as risk appetite increased on easing worries about the global banking system and expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is nearing the end of its aggressive streak of rate hikes, with shares in materials and resources leading rally on firmer commodity prices.

At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index advanced 55.47 points, or 0.78%, to 7,177.80. The broader All Ordinaries index increased 60.91 points, or 0.83%, to 7,373.30.

The top performing stocks in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were NOVONIX and GOLD ROAD RESOURCES, up 8.58% and 5.59% respectively. The bottom performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were LAKE RESOURCES and HARVEY NORMAN, down 5.3% and 3.76% respectively.

Total 8 of 11 sectors ended higher along with the S&P/ASX 200 Index. Materials was the best performing sector, gaining +1.88%, followed by healthcare (up 1.09%), information technology (up 0.83%), A-REIT (up 0.55%), and financial (up 0.54%) sectors. Energy was bottom performing sector, falling 0.84%.

Shares of materials companies advanced, as sharp rebound in iron ore prices. Market heavyweight BHP (up 2.5%) and Fortescue (up 4.1%) climbed. Rio Tinto (up 2.5%) jumped after saying it will partner with Canada's First Quantum Minerals Ltd to develop the La Granja copper project in Peru.

Gold stocks also notched gains, helped by a jump in bullion prices. Shares of Northern Star and Newcrest Mining rose 2.2% and 1.7%, respectively.

Healthcare companies including Cochlear (up 2.4%) and Ramsay (up 2.2%) also gained.

Shares of banks and financials also gained, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia inching 0.2% higher.

Shares in HMC Capital fell 2.7% on returning to trade after the asset manager said it will buy 11 private hospitals from US-based Medical Properties Trust for A$1.20 billion

CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar was stood at 0.6701 against greenback on Friday, easing 0.07% from previous trading day closure at 0.6707, as markets wagered the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was near done with tightening after 10 straight rate hikes.

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