Half-time wrap:
A third day of gains carried the ASX to a two-week high after Wall Street pushed further into record territory.
The ASX 200 climbed 41 points or 0.55% to 7518. Healthcare providers, banks and tech stocks led the pack as the ASX tried to narrow the performance gap after Wall Street's push to all-time highs.
Overnight, both the Dow and S&P 500 set new records ahead of trading updates this week from two of the "Magnificent 7" market leaders, as well as inflation and economic growth figures. The Dow put on 0.36%. The S&P 500 added 0.22%.
In economic news, business conditions continued to deteriorate as higher rates cut into consumer spending. NAB's conditions index declined two points to +7. Business confidence rebounded but remained in negative territory.
Personal trading: Some mornings trading is smooth and effortless and the money fills the account with minimum stress. Then there are days like today. On days like today, I buy in too soon, then spend the morning playing defence, doubling down and sweating on recoveries. Needed two stabs at MND to get a profitable trade, three at IEL. The profits are a fraction of what they could have been with a little more patience and a lot less stress.
