The ASX200 closed around 0.63% up with energy soaring 2.3% and materials 1.9%.
The poorest performer was healthcare – down 0.8%.
In the green
The Star Entertainment Group (ASX:SGR) shot up 20% on news it’s received interest from a number of external parties interested in making a takeover bid.
The Star confirmed the Pacific arm of Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts is among one consortium of investors looking at the opportunity. However the Star says there are no formal discussions underway.
SGR closed at 54 cents.
Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) was up more than 3% after laying out its intention to list on the NASDAQ.
Morgan Stanley and Jefferies are among firms acting as managers for the IPO process, signifying a high level of confidence from Telix it intends to progress the plan.
TLX closed at $15.37.
And agribusiness icon Elders (ASX:ELD) shot up 1.1% despite posting weaker than expected half year results for the 6 months to the end of March.
Earnings before interest and tax were down 54% on the previous corresponding period, and its underlying profit after tax dropped 72%.
The company cites challenging conditions, cautious client sentiment, lower livestock prices as well as crop input costs. It’s paying a 50% franked, 18-cent dividend.
ELD closed at $8.30.
In the red
The healthcare sector suffered the most today… it shed 0.86% as healthcare giants dragged: CSL (ASX:CSL) shed 0.7% Cochlear (ASX:COH) was down 3%, and ResMed (ASX:RMD) lost more than 1%.
Construction sector company Duratec (ASX:DUR) was down 6% after revising its guidance for revenue and normalised EBITDA for FY24.
Duratec’s revenue guidance has been reduced to $550-565 million from $570-610 million due to delays in expected project awards.
Its EBITDA guidance has also shrunk to $46-48 million from $45-52 million initially.