Day traders' weekend lounge August 16 - 18

Thanks afternoon crew.

End-of-day summary:

The share market ended a strong week with its sixth rise in a row after upbeat US economic data helped soothe any lingering US recession worries.

The ASX 200 jumped 106 points or 1.34% this afternoon. Resource stocks, a dampener for much of the week, spearheaded a rally that boosted all sectors. Banks and tech stocks were also notably strong.

Today's advance completed a rare clean sweep of daily gains for the week. The index put on 193 points or 2.48% since Monday as a decline in US inflation and better-than-expected economic data persuaded traders that the much-sought-after combination of rate cuts and a soft landing remained possible.

Overnight, the S&P 500 climbed 1.61%, erasing the last of its losses during a three-day recession scare earlier this month.