Australian equities ended Tuesday's session firmer, led by outperformance in the information technology, healthcare and financials sectors. At the close in Sydney the S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.40% to reach a new three-month peak.
Among individual stocks, DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) paced the benchmark's gainers, jumping 14.60% - up 0.26 points to finish at 2.08. Life360 Inc (ASX:360) added 10.68% - a rise of 2.73 points to close at 28.29. Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX:PNI) also posted a strong performance, gaining 7.26% or 1.20 points to settle at 17.72.
Not all names were higher. In late trade Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX:VEA) declined 3.76% - down 0.11 points to 2.68 at the close. Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLC) slipped 3.48% or 0.20 points to finish at 5.41, while Ampol Ltd (ASX:ALD) fell 3.36% - a drop of 1.34 points to 38.59.
Market breadth favored advances: 689 stocks rose on the Sydney exchange, 381 fell and 396 were unchanged.
Volatility as measured by the S&P/ASX 200 VIX climbed 5.91% to 11.55 during the session, indicating higher implied volatility in index options.
Commodities traded mixed to higher. Gold futures for December delivery increased 0.60% - up 24.59 to $4,115.09 a troy ounce. Crude oil for September delivery rose 0.57% or 0.46 to $80.80 a barrel, and the October Brent contract gained 1.22% or 1.02 to trade at $84.79 a barrel.
Currency moves were modest. AUD/USD was effectively unchanged, listed as 0.21% to 0.70, while AUD/JPY strengthened 0.57% to 110.68. The US Dollar Index Futures was reported up 0.14% at 99.92.
Summary of session statistics and notable movers:
- S&P/ASX 200: +1.40% to a three-month high
- Top gainers: DRO +14.60% (2.08), 360 +10.68% (28.29), PNI +7.26% (17.72)
- Largest decliners: VEA -3.76% (2.68), TLC -3.48% (5.41), ALD -3.36% (38.59)
- Market breadth: 689 advancers, 381 decliners, 396 unchanged
- VIX: +5.91% to 11.55