Day traders' after-market lounge November 30

Thanks afternoon crew.

End-of-day summary:

An afternoon rally carried the ASX 200 to a third straight gain as the curtain closed on a strong month for investors.

The ASX 200 shrugged off a sluggish morning to advance 52 points or 0.74%. The heavily-weighted banks led a lunchtime revival that also boosted industrials, consumer staples and tech stocks. Utilities and energy producers missed the upswing.

Today's gain extended the index's tally for the month to 306 points or 4.5%. The November rally broke a three-month losing run that deepened in October amid questions over how high interest rates will have to rise to dampen inflation.

The market took in its stride signs today that China's economic recovery is flagging. A late-morning report showed a contraction in Chinese factory activity deepened this month, while a measure of services sector activity expanded by less than expected.