End of Day Report – Friday 30 May: ASX 200 up 25 | Best month since January

The ASX 200 had a late surge to finish the month with a gain today of 25 points to 8435. ASX records best month since January. Up 3.8%. Banks yet again showed the strength as CBA rose 0.9% with the Big Bank Basket up to $275.55 (1.1%). WBC surged 2.7% and NAB up 1.3% with some month end window dressing. Insurers slid slightly, QBE down 1.3% with REITS up. GMG up 1.3% and VCX rising 1.2%. Industrials found a footing, BXB up 1.0%, WOW and COL firmed, and ORG up 2.1%. Tech slipped slightly with WTC down 1.5% and XRO off 0.8%. Healthcare mixed, In resources, mixed in the majors, BHP up 0.3% and FMG down 1.9%. Gold miners were better, NST up 3.2% with GMD up 4.4%, VAU up 3.5% as some window dressing helped. Lithium stocks slid on a broker downgrade to carbonate prices, PLS down 5.7% and IGO off 5.4%. WDS fell 2.1% and STO off 0.9%. Uranium stock eased back, coal miners fell, WHC off 1.8%. In corporate news, HCW leapt on rent relief for Healthscope, NWH up on a RIO contract and FND down nearly 9% on results. In economic news, retail sales slipped. Asian markets fell with Japan down 0.9%, China down 0.3%, and HK down 1.5%. 10-year yields at 4.28%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you’re looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.