Australian share prices closed higher on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 finishing the session up 1.74% in Sydney. Strength in the information technology, metals & mining and materials sectors underpinned the advance.
Among individual stocks, Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX:GYG) posted the largest gain on the index, climbing 19.41% or 2.95 points to end the day at 18.15. Nextdc Ltd (ASX:NXT) added 11.90% or 1.34 points to close at 12.60, while Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX:DMP) rose 7.26% or 1.16 points to finish at 17.14.
On the other side of the ledger, Mesoblast Ltd (ASX:MSB) was the weakest performer, slipping 6.57% or 0.14 points to trade at 1.99 at the close. Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX:SGP) declined 2.67% or 0.11 points to 4.01, and Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF) fell 2.18% or 0.18 points to 8.08.
Market breadth favored rising issues, with 647 stocks advancing against 519 decliners on the Sydney exchange, and 386 issues ending unchanged.
Stockland's shares hit 52-week lows during the session, retreating 2.67% or 0.11 to 4.01.
Investor sentiment measures showed a modest rise in implied volatility. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which reflects the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, increased 2.29% to 16.41.
Commodities traded mixed: Gold futures for June delivery fell 0.37% or 17.53 to $4,667.17 a troy ounce. Crude oil for May delivery climbed 2.35% or 2.64 to $115.05 a barrel, while the June Brent oil contract gained 1.41% or 1.55 to trade at $111.32 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, the Australian dollar was essentially flat against the U.S. dollar, with AUD/USD unchanged 0.09% at 0.69, while AUD/JPY edged higher by 0.10% to 110.58. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.06% at 99.87.
Summary of key market moves:
- Benchmark: S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.74% at the close in Sydney.
- Top gainers: GYG (+19.41%), NXT (+11.90%), DMP (+7.26%).
- Top decliners: MSB (-6.57%), SGP (-2.67%), CGF (-2.18%).
- Market breadth: 647 advancers, 519 decliners, 386 unchanged.
- Volatility: S&P/ASX 200 VIX up 2.29% to 16.41.