By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 48 points or 0.7% to 7,251.3 during Wednesday’s trade, extending gains for the second session as easing U.S. inflation data overnight boosted risk sentiment.
Among stocks, Utilities led the gains, finishing 2.1% higher as Origin Energy Ltd (ASX:ORG) added 2.3%, Genesis Energy Ltd (ASX:GNE) lifted 2.5% and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) gained 0.1%.
Information Technology lifted 1.7% with Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) up 8.1%, Novonix Ltd (ASX:NVX) gaining 5.5%, Xero Ltd (ASX:XRO) up 3% and Altium Ltd (ASX:ALU) adding 2.5%.
Real estate gained 1.3% as Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) added 0.9%, Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) lifted 1.8%, Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) gained 1% and Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX:SGP) added 1.3%.
In company news, St Barbara Ltd (ASX:SBM) surged 13.5% after announcing its merger with Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX:GMD), which also popped 13.8%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year yields were at 3.371% while United States 10-Year rates were at 3.496%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 was 0.1% lower at 11,585.