AU Evening Wrap: ASX Rises 0.3%, Led by Rally in Health Stocks

The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ edged up 0.3 per cent, or 19.5 points to 7110.8 at the close after US legislators approved a debt deal, easing concerns about a default in the world's largest economy.

Health and technology stocks buoyed the benchmark index. $CSL Ltd (CSL.AU)$ shares rallied 1.3 per cent, $Cochlear Ltd (COH.AU)$ shares added 2 per cent and $Pro Medicus Ltd (PME.AU)$ jumped 3.9 per cent.

$WiseTech Global Ltd (WTC.AU)$ shares rose 0.9 per cent, $Xero Ltd (XRO.AU)$ 1.9 per cent and $Altium Ltd (ALU.AU)$ 2.4 per cent.

The materials sector also finished in the green. $Newcrest Mining Ltd (NCM.AU)$ shares rose 2.4 per cent, $Northern Star Resources Ltd (NST.AU)$ 3.1 per cent, $Fortescue Ltd (FMG.AU)$ 0.8 per cent and $BHP Group Ltd (BHP.AU)$ 0.1 per cent.

Energy stocks also recorded gains. $Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co Ltd (SOL.AU)$ shares increased 1.7 per cent, $Ampol Ltd (ALD.AU)$ 1.7 per cent and $Whitehaven Coal Ltd (WHC.AU)$ 2.7 per cent.

$Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN.AU)$ shares rallied 11 per cent, bouncing back from Tuesday's sharp fall of 20 per cent.