By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 50.5 points or 0.7% to 7,231.8 during Wednesday’s trade, extending gains for the second consecutive session and finishing at fresh 6-month highs.
Among stocks, Utilities lead the advance, gaining 1.6% as Origin Energy Ltd (ASX:ORG) lifted 2%, APA Group (ASX:APA) added 1.3% and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) gained 1.3%.
Energy also closed 1.3% as Woodside Energy Ltd (ASX:WDS) gained 0.9%, Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) added 0.7%, Beach Energy Ltd (ASX:BPT) lifted 2.6% and South32 Ltd (ASX:S32) gained 2%.
Materials added 1% with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) up 0.5%, BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) adding 1%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) down 0.7% and Champion Iron Ltd (ASX:CIA) falling 0.3%. Meantime, Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX:WHC) and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX:WHC) surged 2.8% and 5.6% respectively.
In company news, Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX:QAN) surged 5.3% after lifting its half-year profit forecast to A$1.45 billion, while Home Consortium Ltd (ASX:HMC) added 0.6% after the company reaffirmed dividend guidance for FY2023.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 3.598% while United States 10-Year yields were at 3.758%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 0.9% to 11,323.8.