By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The ASX 200 lifted from a flat start on Tuesday to close 62.80 points or 0.86% higher at 7,355.00, boosted by healthcare and financials, while investors proved optimistic after minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s December policy meeting noted that more workers were quitting their jobs for higher paying positions, encouraged by stronger labour market conditions.
Meantime, the coronavirus Omicron variant infection rates continue to surge both locally and abroad, with Denmark reintroducing restrictions while the Netherlands re-enters lockdown.
The Health Care sector outperformed, adding 3.9%, with CSL Ltd (ASX:CSL) surging 4.91% after selling shares to fund a takeover of Vifor Pharma AG (SIX:VIFN). Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX:SHL) added 2.36%, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd (ASX:FPH) gained 2.34% and Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX:RHC) was up 3.11%.
The Energy Sector also lifted 1.62% as crude oil prices stabilized, with Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) adding 1.13%, Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) lifting 0.82% and Beach Energy Ltd (ASX:BPT) up 1.65%.
Financials closed higher, with Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG) adding 0.28%, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) up 0.26%, Commonwealth Bank Of Australia (ASX:CBA) adding 0.39%, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB) up 0.67% and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) gaining 0.19%.
Major miners also supported gains amid higher Iron ore prices, with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) up 3.23%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) adding 1.48%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) up 1.7% and Champion Iron Ltd (ASX:CIA) adding 1.57%. Gold miners also lifted, as Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX:NCM) gained 0.54%, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) added 2.15%, Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU) lifted 1.6%, Chalice Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:CHN) added 1.54% and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX:EVN) gained 2.53%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 1.606% while United States 10-Year yields held steady around 1.433%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 0.71% to 12,857.