Shares recorded a new ten-year high before fading towards a possible first loss in four sessions.
The ASX 200 broke above 6300 for a second day but failed to hold the milestone, falling 21 points or 0.3% to 6264 by mid-session. Gains in metals & mining +1%, materials +0.8% and energy +0.4% were outweighed by declines in utilities -1.6%, financials -1% and consumer staples -0.7%. The index last traded at these levels in January 2008, in the early days of the global financial crisis.
Overnight, the Dow secured its strongest rise in a month as upbeat economic data offset trade-war worries. The Dow put on 1.31% and the S&P 500 0.88%. S&P 500 futures were recently ahead 5 points or 0.18%.
A broadly positive morning on Asian markets saw China's Shanghai Composite slip 0.07% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng add 0.23% and Japan's Nikkei 1.03%.
Crude oil futures edged up 17 cents or 0.23% this morning to US$74.02 a barrel. Gold futures added 70 cents or 0.06% to US$1,260.30 an ounce. The dollar was buying 74.75 US cents.
Another lively session in Specland. Great to see stirring in the swamp. Trading: CPV and OSL gave slender regulation bounces. Waiting on VAN and AYS.
