By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 95.70 points or 1.32% to 7,356.90 during Thursday’s deals, snapping two sessions of consecutive loss as a strong performance by mining companies boosted sentiment.
Among stocks, AMP Ltd (ASX:AMP) was most improved, rallying 13.2% following news that the international infrastructure unit of Collimate Capital had been sold to DigitalBridge Group for $A462 million.
The Materials sector lifted 3.5% collectively, with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) up 3.5%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) adding 4.4%, Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS) gaining 3.5% and Arizona Lithium Ltd (ASX:AZL) up 2.8%, while Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) surged 8.1% as the company raised its iron ore export target.
Industrials finished 0.9% higher as Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX:AIA) gained 0.9%, Reece Ltd (ASX:REH) lifted 0.8% and Brambles Ltd (ASX:BXB) gained 1.3%.
Financials lifted 0.7% overall as Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG) added 1.3%, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) lifted 0.7% and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) increased 0.6%.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates eased to 3.086%, while United States 10-Year yields were also lower at 2.819%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 1.3% to 11,876.