ASX 200 kicked another 49 points to 8809 (0.6%) as resources continue to soar, banks joined in too with the iron ore majors recovering. Some selling on the close knocked it off highs. CBA was up 0.5% with NAB flying 1.9% higher and the Big Bank Basket up to $272.19 (0.9%). Other financials and insurers also rallying, except GQG which fell 8.6% on latest FUM results. REITS also firm, GMG up 1.1% and SCG rising 1.2%. Industrials and healthcare were a little weaker, retail stocks under pressure, JBH down 3.0%, COL sliding 1.8% and TPW off another 2.7%. MYR dropped 5.1% and BAP continued lower. Tech stocks continued to ease, WTC eased 0.3%, XRO up 0.4%, but TNE down 0.8%. Resources were the drivers again, BHP up 2.3% with RIO bouncing back 2.2%. Gold miners were firm, EVN up 2.0% and NST up 3.6% with lithium stocks also doing well and rare earths in focus. LYC up 1.9% despite news that the popular CEO is retiring. Uranium stocks better and oil and gas weak, WDS down 1.7%.

In corporate news, EDV fell 2.9% as it forecast pre-tax profits of between $400-411m. FBU reported a modest improvement in the outlook and ZIP dropped 7.6% on US credit card moves from Trump. 4DX in a trading halt with a placement at 380c.

On the economic front, the ANZ-Roy Morgan survey on consumer sentiment was the weakest start to the new year in 15 years.

Asian markets firmed, Japan jumped 3.4% on a potential snap election, China up 0.1% and HK up 1.1%. US futures down slightly.

10-year yields steady at 4.70%.

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