By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 13.5 points or 0.2% to 6,536.4 after the first hour of Wednesday’s trade, slightly extending gains of 1.4% in the previous session amid a global relief rally.
ASX 200 Futures were pointing 0.5% lower.
Among stocks, Energy companies were the most improved, up 2.4% collectively with Woodside Energy Ltd (ASX:WDS) up 2.1%, Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) gaining 2.6%, Beach Energy Ltd (ASX:BPT) up 2.6% and Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX:VEA) lifting 3.6%.
Utilities lifted 2.6% overall, with Origin Energy Ltd (ASX:ORG) adding 1.2%, APA Group (ASX:APA) lifting 3.6% and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) up 0.9%.
Materials were up 0.7% as Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) lifted 1.6%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) gained 0.9%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) added 1.1% and Champion Iron Ltd (ASX:CIA) gained 4.1%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 4.04% while United States 10-Year yields were at 3.283%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 0.7% to 10,774.6.