AU Morning Wrap: ASX Declines; Tech Inches Up

Stocks ended mostly higher Thursday as a rebound in $Apple (AAPL.US)$, $NVIDIA (NVDA.US)$ and some other tech stocks offset a lack of enthusiasm that Wall Street had shown earlier in the session toward softer-than-expected wholesale-inflation data.

The $Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$ led the way higher, gaining 271.84 points (1.7%) to a 16,442.2 close. The $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ likewise gained 38.42 ticks (0.7%) to 5,199.06, but the $Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US)$shed 2.43 points (0.01%) to 38,459.08.

Australian shares declined on the last trading session of the week as members of the US Federal Reserve advised caution in the fight against global inflation. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ dropped by 35.3 points or 0.5% to 7778.3, with most of the 11 sectors edging lower.

Consumer staples were the hardest hit, with $Woolworths Group Ltd (WOW.AU)$ and $Coles Group Ltd (COL.AU)$ down by around 1.5%.

$Cettire Ltd (CTT.AU)$, an online fashion retailer listed on the ASX, has reported a significant increase in sales, with an 88% surge compared to the previous third quarter, reaching a total of $191 million. This positive news has resulted in a 5.1% increase in the company's shares, which are now trading at $3.52.

$Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (DMP.AU)$ is set to update investors today on its strategy to boost revenue and improve its share price. The company's shares have increased by 0.6% to $43.68 ahead of the briefing.

$Boral Ltd (BLD.AU)$'s board has given its support to a revised takeover offer from Seven Group, a move that substantially increases the likelihood of the Australian cement maker being acquired by the company controlled by billionaire Kerry Stokes.

$The Star Entertainment Group Ltd (SGR.AU)$, a casino operator facing challenges, has reported significant declines in its gaming room revenues across Australia. This news has resulted in a 2.8% drop in the company's shares, which are currently trading at 53 cents.

$Nextdc Ltd (NXT.AU)$, which is the biggest publicly traded company in Australia that develops and manages data centres, is seeking to raise $1.32 billion to fund its expansion plans in Sydney and Melbourne. The company's shares are set to become available for trading before the start of trading on Monday.

Dividends Paid: $Embelton Ltd (EMB.AU)$, $Cash Converters International Ltd (CCV.AU)$, $Enero Group Ltd (EGG.AU)$, $Super Retail Group Ltd (SUL.AU)$

Listing: $Far Northern Resources Ltd (FNR.AU)$