AU Morning Wrap: ASX Edges Higher; Core Lithium Sinks on Mine Halt

Major indexes have pulled back in the first three sessions after ending 2023 with a bang. The $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ is down 1.7 per cent, its worst start to a year since 2016. The $Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US)$ has declined 0.7 per cent, and the $Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$ has dropped 3.3 per cent.

The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ is 0.3 per cent higher at 7513 points. The All Ordinaries is 0.2 per cent higher.

$Core Lithium Ltd (CXO.AU)$: Core Lithium is the worst performing on the benchmark, down 7.7 per cent to 24¢. The lithium miner has paused mining from its Northern Territory mine, as the falling price of the battery metal continues to put pressure on the sector.

$Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (TLX.AU)$: Telix Pharmaceuticals is 1.7 per cent higher at $9.69 after telling investors it is considering listing on the US-based Nasdaq exchange.

$BlueBet Holdings Ltd (BBT.AU)$: Online wagering company BlueBet has jumped 25.6 per cent higher at 24.5¢ amid reports the company is in talks to merge with fellow bookmaker BetR. On Thursday, The Australian Financial Review reported that BetR had held discussions with BlueBet about a merger, according to two people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because no deal has been signed.