Australia stocks demonstrated gains at the close of trading on Wednesday, with the Consumer Discretionary, A-REITs, and Financials sectors leading the way. The S&P/ASX 200 rose by 0.22% in Sydney.
Among the top performers on the S&P/ASX 200 were Nuix Ltd (ASX:NXL), experiencing a 5.00% increase or 0.10 points, closing at 2.10. PointsBet Holdings Ltd (ASX:PBH) recorded a 4.88% rise, equivalent to 0.04 points, concluding at 0.86, while Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX:NEC) marked a 3.05% increase, adding 0.05 points to close at 1.69.
Appen Ltd (ASX:APX) was among the session’s worst performers, facing a 10.19% decline or 0.11 points, closing at 0.97. Additionally, Omni Bridgeway Ltd (ASX:OBL) experienced a 5.23% decrease, losing 0.08 points to end at 1.45, and Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX:RSG) faced a 3.95% decline, shedding 0.02 points to close at 0.37.
On the Sydney Stock Exchange, rising stocks outnumbered declining ones, with 569 stocks increasing, 547 declining, and 346 remaining unchanged.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, indicating the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, saw a 7.47% decrease, reaching 11.60.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for April delivery experienced a 0.07% decline or 1.55, closing at $2,164.55 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, Crude oil for April delivery rose by 0.68% or 0.53, reaching $78.09 a barrel. The May Brent oil contract recorded a 0.65% increase or 0.53, closing at $82.45 a barrel.
The AUD/USD pair remained unchanged at 0.66, while the AUD/JPY pair witnessed a 0.05% increase, reaching 97.59.
The US Dollar Index Futures experienced a 0.02% decrease, closing at 102.53.