Afternoon trading July 28

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1, @uncleBuck, @JohnI and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:
Aussie stocks started the week on the upswing after the US announced a trade deal with the European Union and a ceasefire extension with China, soothing fears of a damaging trade war and sending US stock futures higher.
The ASX 200 rallied 24 points or 0.28% by mid-session.
Healthcare providers, telcos and banks were amongst the best performers as eight of eleven sectors advanced. Energy, materials and utilities lagged.
The domestic stock benchmark rose for the first time in three sessions after the White House announced a trade deal with the EU that included a 15% tariff on most European imports. Also helping sentiment: a Bloomberg report that the US and China will extended their tariff pause for an additional three months while trade negotiations continue.
S&P 500 futures popped 0.42% in Sunday night US trade. On Friday, the broadest of the leading US stock benchmarks climbed 0.4% to a fifth straight record close.

Personal trading: Messy morning clearing up some of Friday's leftovers. Out of IFG for brokerage, but underwater on GTE (market attaching next to no value for the jump in the ALB share price on Friday. Looks like it's being treated as a liquidity event). Pip from AGY. Small position in LIN for any rebound. Wanted ION, didn't get.

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