AU Evening Wrap: ASX 200 Gains; Tech and Consumer Surge, Lithium Dips

• Top losers: $Fletcher Building Ltd (FBU.AU)$ $Boss Energy Ltd (BOE.AU)$ $Cettire Ltd (CTT.AU)$

Australia's $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ closed 0.9% higher at 7989.6, driven by broad-based gains as investors anticipate the midweek release of key inflation data. All 11 sectors finished in positive territory, following a strong lead from U.S. equities at the end of last week.

The tech sector, the smallest by market capitalization, led the way with a 1.5% rise. Companies like $Xero Ltd (XRO.AU)$, $Nextdc Ltd (NXT.AU)$, and $WiseTech Global Ltd (WTC.AU)$ saw gains between 1.2% and 2.2%. Major banks $National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB.AU)$, $CommBank (CBA.AU)$, and $Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AU)$ added between 1.3% and 1.4%, with Commonwealth closing at a record high. However, rival lender $ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ANZ.AU)$ slipped 1.2% due to an investigation into trading and conduct issues in its local markets business. Economists view the June-quarter CPI data, set for release on Wednesday, as a crucial indicator for the direction of the next move in local interest rates.