By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 13.1 points or 0.17% to 7503 on Tuesday, extending gains of 0.39% in the previous session as market participants proved optimistic following news that the Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) vaccine received full approval from regulators in the U.S., while local corporate earnings continue to roll in.
In local coronavirus news, New South Wales tallied 753 fresh cases today as health authorities reported that the state had hit its target of 6 million vaccine doses administered, while the ACT added a record 30 fresh cases with 11 infectious among the community. Meantime, Victoria added 50 local transmissions amid a fresh outbreak at a regional school and Queensland reported 2 locally acquired cases.
Among stocks, week three of earnings season continues with Nanosonics Ltd (ASX:NAN) surging 20.54% after the company reported results while Uniti Wireless Ltd (ASX:UWL) also surged 6.7% after results. Meantime, comments from Prime Minister Scott Morrison about re-opening the economy as vaccination rates surge lifted travel stocks. Flight Centre Ltd (ASX:FLT) added 6.38% to 3-week highs, Webjet Ltd (ASX:WEB) lifted 6.48% to a four-week high and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX:QAN) is up 5.48% to four-week highs.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 7.79 points or 0.06%, trading near 8-months highs of 13071.86.