By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The ASX 200 finished Thursday’s session 62.80 points or 0.88% higher, closing at 7,179.50 as investors monitor tightening economic sanctions on Russia for their invasion of Ukraine, sending Oil, Gas, Coal and other commodities including iron ore higher.
The Energy sector finished 2.56% higher Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) up 2.96%, Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) up 1.69%, Beach Energy Ltd (ASX:BPT) gaining 4.67% while Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX:VEA) lost 0.79%.
Materials lifted 2.64% collectively with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) gaining 3.72%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) adding 3.6%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) up 4.2%, Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) adding 4.17%, Magnis Resources Ltd (ASX:MNS) up 3.41%, Avz Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) up 8% and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX:WHC) climbing 10.61%.
Financials ended trade 0.1% lower as Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG) added 0.79%, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) finished flat at 25.61, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB) gained 0.38%, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) eased 0.49% and Commonwealth Bank Of Australia (ASX:CBA) lost 0.2%.
Meantime, Atlassian Corp Plc (NASDAQ:TEAM) has pulled its business in China in response to the Ukraine crisis, noting on its website that “In response to Russia’s aggression, we are pausing the sale of all new software to Russia. In addition, we are suspending existing Russian state-owned licenses as well as licenses to specific Russian businesses that support the war (via cyber warfare, combat, or disinformation.)”
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 2.159% while United States 10-Year yields were at 1.854%.
In new Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 0.94% to 12,211.