ASX 200 soared to new record highs before falling into the close, up 74 points to 8371 (+0.9%) as both the banking sector and the resources pushed ahead. The Big Bank Basket hit a new record up to $260.88 (+1.2%). CBA led the charge with a 1.7% gain and insurers also doing well. QBE up 1.4% and SUN rallying 2.1%. Other financials also in demand, PNI up 1.1% and HMC doing well rising 1.6%. SQ2 stands out again by up 6.3%. REITs too piling on the points, GMG up 1.1% and SCG rising 0.6%, 10Y yields falling to 4.57%. Industrials also in a good place, WES up 0.9% with WOW and COL recovering, QAN up 0.8% and SGH a star, up 3.2%. Retail recovered somewhat, JBH up 0.6% and PMV putting on 1.0% with LOV still under a little pressure. ALL up 1.6% though LNW down 2.5%. Tech rallied hard as WTC put on 2.4%, TNE soared 10.0% on better results, the All Tech Index up 2.7%. Even dull utilities were in demand, ORG up 1.0% and AGL up 0.9%. In resources, early weakness gave the buyers reasons to nibble a little, BHP down 0.1% and RIO down 0.4 % with gold stocks doing well on bullion rises, NST up 4.0% and NEM up 2.0% after a sale of a gold project. Oil and gas better, STO announced a shift in focus and rose 0.3%. Lithium stocks still on the nose with PLS down 5.2% and uranium stocks firm but unspectacular. In corporate news, SYA announced a merger with PLL, CLG had an NBIO from PE, KMD warned of tough times, and MIN company secretary is moving to a compliance and governance role. On the economic front, RBA minutes were released, current settings appropriate. Asian markets mixed again, Japan up 0.7%, HK rose 0.2% and China off 0.5%.

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