Afternoon trading May 23

Thanks @shovel40, @FlashPoint, @Fiji1 and morning crew.

The share market advanced for the third time in four sessions as US politicians talked up progress in debt limit negotiations and downplayed the risk of a default.

The ASX 200 firmed 23 points or 0.31% as US futures responded to positive remarks from President Biden and Republican House Speaker McCarthy following a "productive" meeting this morning. S&P 500 futures gained 0.24% after both sides ruled out a default. Negotiations continued after the leaders met.

Here, energy, tech and healthcare topped the sector advances. Consumer stocks and gold miners dragged.

Personal trading: Scruffy morning scalping lows. Profits from MAN and AW1. Jury still out on another.