AU Morning Wrap: ASX Rises; Ansell to Acquire PPE Business for $974m

The $Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US)$ increased by 0.8%, settling at 38,904.04. The $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ also rose by 1.11% by the end of the day, while the technology-focused $Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$ surged by 1.24%.

Investors of $Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AU)$ will be closely monitoring the airline's announcement about its latest frequent flyer program, Classic Plus, which is expected to offer more value to customers than its current Points Plus Pay option. Frustrated Qantas customers may find the new program more enticing.

$Life360 Inc (360.AU)$, a family monitoring app, has announced that it is exceeding market expectations after a successful start to the year. The app attracted 4.8 million active users in the first quarter alone, setting a record for the company.

$Qoria Ltd (QOR.AU)$'s board, a cyber safety and internet monitoring group, has rejected a buyout proposal from American software investor K1. The bid, which was offered at 40¢ per share, was submitted by K1 towards the end of last week.

$Ansell Ltd (ANN.AU)$, a company specializing in healthcare protection solutions, is planning to acquire personal protective equipment manufacturer Kimberly-Clark in a deal worth US$640 million ($974 million). The acquisition will also involve a $400 million capital raise.

$Fortescue Ltd (FMG.AU)$'s $116 million electrolyser factory in Gladstone is set to open today, which will allow the mining company to produce green hydrogen.

The supermarket giants, $Coles Group Ltd (COL.AU)$ and $Woolworths Group Ltd (WOW.AU)$, will also be in the spotlight after an independent review dismissed the idea of forced break-up of the two companies. The review found that the "populist" concept, supported by the Coalition and promoted by the Greens, lacked "credibility" and could lead to store closures and job losses.

Dividends Paid: $Perpetual Ltd (PPT.AU)$, $Fleetwood Ltd (FWD.AU)$, $Austin Engineering Ltd (ANG.AU)$, $Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (CWY.AU)$