The Australian stock market concluded Tuesday’s trading session on a positive note, with the S&P/ASX 200 index recording a gain of 0.29%. The Information Technology (IT), Gold, and A-REITs sectors played pivotal roles in driving shares higher.
As the closing bell rang in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 reflected a 0.29% increase, indicating a day marked by positive momentum.
Leading the pack of top performers on the S&P/ASX 200, Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) exhibited an impressive surge of 27.71%, equating to 2.71 points, settling at 12.49 by the close. Nickel Mines Ltd (ASX:NIC) also contributed significantly, gaining 22.50% or 0.14 points, concluding the session at 0.74. Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX:GOR) showcased notable growth, ascending by 9.32% or 0.13 points, reaching 1.52 in late trade.
Conversely, Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX:NWL) emerged as one of the session’s underperformers, witnessing a decline of 5.02% or 0.87 points, closing at 16.47. Alumina Ltd (ASX:AWC) experienced a 3.43% drop, shedding 0.04 points to settle at 1.13, while Qbe Insurance Group Ltd (ASX:QBE) was down 2.41%, closing at 15.39.
Market data from the Sydney Stock Exchange revealed a higher number of rising stocks, outnumbering declining ones, with figures standing at 653 to 562, while 359 remained unchanged.
Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) reached a 52-week high during the trading day, recording a substantial gain of 27.71% or 2.71 points, closing at 12.49.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, measuring the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, saw a marginal increase of 2.24%, reaching 11.36.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for April delivery experienced a gain of 0.30%, adding 6.20 points to reach $2,050.80 per troy ounce. Additionally, crude oil for March delivery rose by 0.49% or 0.38, reaching $77.16 per barrel. The April Brent oil contract also witnessed an uptick, rising by 0.44% or 0.36, trading at $82.19 per barrel.
In currency markets, AUD/USD remained unchanged at 0.66, while AUD/JPY experienced a marginal decline of 0.05%, settling at 97.47.
The US Dollar Index Futures saw a minor decrease of 0.12%, concluding the session at 103.29.