By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 finished higher on Wednesday, adding 44.40 points or 0.62% to 7,205.70 as encouraging local data and strong earnings results from local companies lifted sentiment, while investors continue monitoring fresh developments in Ukraine following Russian troop deployment into eastern Ukraine, with the United States, United Kingdom and Australia moving impose sanctions.
The Technology and Communication services sectors were the session’s biggest winners, up 2.17% and 1.85% respectively.
Appen Ltd (ASX:APX) added 5.28%, Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) gained 4.01%, Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX:LNK) lifted 1.15%, Novonix Ltd (ASX:NVX) added 5.37%, Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX:BRN) gained 5.02%, Altium Ltd (ASX:ALU) added 5.55% and Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) gained 4.18% after upgrading its full-year earnings guidance. Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P) rebounded 8.41% and Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) added 4.1%.
Telstra Corporation Ltd. (ASX:TLS) added 2.29%, Seek Ltd (ASX:SEK) gained 3.01%, Domain Holdings Australia Ltd (ASX:DHG) added 1.99% and Rea Group Ltd (ASX:REA) lifted 0.76%.
Meantime, Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) gained 0.74% after delivering a first half statutory profit of $A368.6 million, up $285.8 million compared to the previous period.
Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW) climbed 1.36% after reporting an increase in sales, while Hub24 Ltd (ASX:HUB) jumped 9.85% following its half-year results released on Tuesday,
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 2.266% while United States 10-Year rates were at 1.941%.
Among data, the wage price index rose 0.7% in the December quarter and at the fastest annual pace in more than three years but the gain lagged behind surging consumer prices.
In new Zealand, the NZX 50 added 0.16% to 12,134.