By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 8.7 points or 0.1% to 6,676.8 after the first hour of Tuesday’s trade, lifting slightly from losses of 1.4% in the previous session.
ASX 200 Futures were pointing 0.3% lower.
Among stocks, Materials led the gains, adding 0.9% as Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) lifted 1.2%, BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) gained 1.6%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) added 1.5%, Champion Iron Ltd (ASX:CIA) gained 3.4% and Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) lifted 2%.
Utilities added 0.1% overall as Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX:MEZ) gained 1.2%, Genesis Energy Ltd (ASX:GNE) lifted 1.3% and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) eased 0.2%.
On the data front, Westpac’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell 0.9% to near historic lows amid rising interest rates and costs of living, as well as growing concerns of an economic slowdown. Meantime, market participants will be looking toward the upcoming NAB Business Confidence release.
On the bond markets, Australia 10-Year rates were at 3.974% while United States 10-Year yields were at 3.957%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 0.3% to 10,953.1.