End of Day Report – Friday 24 January: ASX 200 up 30, resources attempt a rally | BoJ raises rates

ASX 200 up another 30 points to 8409 (0.4%). Plenty of green across the board, even resources improved in places. BHP up 0.5%, RIO up 0.3% and FMG rallying 1.0%. Gold miners eased back, EVN down 1.8% and NST off 0.6%. WGX dropped 4.8% on quarterly feedback. Lithium stocks firmed slightly, IGO confirmed the closure of its TLEA refinery, up 0.8% and LTR rallied 1.5%. Uranium stocks eased back, PDN dropped 2.2% with WDS and STO both easier on lower crude prices. Banks were firm, yet again. The Big Bank Basket rose to $261.25 (+0.4%). Financials were firm, GQG up 1.0% and AMP pushing further ahead up 5.0%. Insurers mixed. REITs firmed, SCG up 0.6% and GPT up 1.4%. Industrials stronger, led by WES up 3.2% on a broker upgrade, ALL bounced back 1.9% and healthcare firmed. PME up 0.7% and COH up 1.1%. Retail firmed with PMV soaring 6.6% and MYR up 2.6%. In corporate news, MND raised guidance, SNL profits rose 32% and KGN dropped 15.2% on issues with Mighty Ape. 4DX had a positive reaction to a deal with Qscan Radiology, and SM1 saw cream rise on very positive H2 guidance. Nothing locally on the economic front, Japan raised rates 25bps as widely expected after Core CPI rose to 3%. Asian market followed US markets higher with Japan up 0.3%, HK up 1.8% and China up 1.0%. 10-year yields steady at 4.47%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence. Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.