AU Evening Wrap | ASX 200 rises; information technology stocks climb; RIO bounces back

Top gainers: $Genesis Minerals Ltd (GMD.AU)$, $Capricorn Metals Ltd (CMM.AU)$ and $Perseus Mining Ltd (PRU.AU)$

Top losers: $Liontown Resources Ltd (LTR.AU)$, $Meridian Energy Ltd (MEZ.AU)$ and $Contact Energy Ltd (CEN.AU)$

On Thursday, the Australian sharemarket rose, driven by gains in technology and consumer discretionary stocks. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ increased by 0.2%, or 12.3 points, closing at 8474.9, supported by six of the eleven sectors.

The information technology sector performed best, up 1.1%. $WiseTech Global Ltd (WTC.AU)$ increased by 1.9%, and $Technology One Ltd (TNE.AU)$ climbed 2.8%. Consumer discretionary stocks also saw gains, with $Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (TAH.AU)$ leading the way, climbing 4.6%. $Breville Group Ltd (BRG.AU)$ increased by 3.7% to A$35.93. Real estate stocks continued to decline. Brent crude oil prices fell, dragging down the energy sector: $Woodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS.AU)$ and $Santos Ltd (STO.AU)$ dropped. Banks traded mixed.

$HMC Capital Ltd (HMC.AU)$ saw a 1.7% increase in its stock price, reaching A$12.40, following its announcement of a A$950 million acquisition of Neoen's Victorian renewable energy assets.

$Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AU)$ experienced a decline but rallied in the afternoon trading, with closing up 0.58%. The company informed that it plans to increase copper production by 18% next year and by 40% by 2030 to lessen its dependence on Australian iron ore. CEO Jakob Stausholm dismissed recent suggestions to merge the company's dual structure and hinted at a possible share issuance in Australia.