AU Evening Wrap: Australia Shares Rise 1.0% to Record Close

Moomoo News AU wrote a column · Mar 28, 2024 14:50

• Top gainers: $Arcadium Lithium PLC (LTM.AU)$, $Alumina Ltd (AWC.AU)$, $Premier Investments Ltd (PMV.AU)$
• Top losers: $Meridian Energy Ltd (MEZ.AU)$, $Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (FPH.AU)$, $Cettire Ltd (CTT.AU)$

Australia's $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ rose 1.0% to 7896.9, finishing the first quarter at a record closing high. All 11 sectors made gains as the benchmark index rounded out a 4.0% rise for the March quarter. The ASX 200 opened Thursday higher following a positive lead by U.S. equities, and solidified its gains after data showed a continued moderation in job vacancies.

Lithium, gold and iron-ore miners all rose, carrying the materials sector to a 1.8% gain. $Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AU)$, $BHP Group Ltd (BHP.AU)$ and $Fortescue Ltd (FMG.AU)$ put on between 0.7% and 2.0%.

Shares of consumer-related stocks rose despite slightly softer-than-expected retail sales data.

Banks $CommBank (CBA.AU)$, $Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AU)$ and $ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ANZ.AU)$ put on between 0.3% and 0.5%.

The ASX will reopen Tuesday after the Easter long weekend.

S&P/ASX 200 Movers for Thursday (Mar/28)