By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 194 points or 2.8% to 7,158 during Friday’s session, finishing at fresh 5-month highs as softening inflation data from the U.S. overnight spurred hopes of easing rate hikes from central bank policymakers.
Among stocks, Information Technology led the advance, up 5% as Block Inc (ASX:SQ2) gained 11.5%, Appen Ltd (ASX:APX) added 8.7%, Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) lifted 13.6%, Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX:LNK) gained 3.2% and Novonix Ltd (ASX:NVX) added 9.2%.
Real Estate added 4.1% overall with Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) adding 6%, Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) up 3.3%, Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) lifting 6.6% and Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX:SGP) up 4.2%.
Meantime, Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX:NEC) lifted 4.4% after securing a 5-year deal for the Australian Open.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 3.665%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 2% to 11,311.8.