The ASX 200 rose 49 points, or 0.6%, to close at 8,736 on Tuesday, posting a third consecutive gain as stronger U.S. stock futures helped counter the drag from higher Treasury yields. Investors weighed fresh U.S. economic data and looked ahead to the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting.
On the domestic front, sentiment was supported by a fifth consecutive monthly increase in Australian job advertisements, highlighting resilient labour demand despite the Reserve Bank’s rate hikes. Gains were capped, however, by a second straight monthly decline in consumer confidence in October, reflecting the impact of higher fuel and borrowing costs.
Commercial services, healthcare, and financial stocks led the advance. Heavyweight BHP Group climbed 1.5%, while Rio Tinto added 1.4%. The big four banks gained between 0.1% and 0.9%.
On the downside, Codan Ltd. dropped 4.7%, and the tech sector underperformed, with Wisetech Global down 2.9%, Nextdc off 2.5%, and Technology One slipping 1.9%.
Investors now turn their attention to September industry updates and the final reading of August building permits.
