AU Evening Wrap: ASX 200 Inches Closer to Record High; Fortescue, BHP Reset Highs

$S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ closed 0.7% higher at 7614.3, driven by broad-based strength across the benchmark index. Most sectors finished in the green in the second-last session of 2023, led by technology, consumer-discretionary and industrial stocks, which all gained slightly more than 1.0%.

$Core Lithium Ltd (CXO.AU)$ was the best performer, advancing 6.3%. Fellow lithium miners $Liontown Resources Ltd (LTR.AU)$, $Pilbara Minerals Ltd (PLS.AU)$ and $Mineral Resources Ltd (MIN.AU)$ rose 1.9%, 0.5% and 2.0%, respectively.

Tech stock Iress climbed 3.2%, $Nextdc Ltd (NXT.AU)$ increased 1.7% and $Megaport Ltd (MP1.AU)$ was 1.6% higher.

$Boss Energy Ltd (BOE.AU)$ was the worst performer, falling 3.8%.

$Eagers Automotive Ltd (APE.AU)$ remained in a trading halt pending more information about a cyber incident.