Thanks afternoon crew.
End-of-day summary:
Aussie stocks edged higher as renewed China stimulus pledges helped cushion against a dip in US stock futures ahead of a big week of US economic data and earning updates.
The ASX 200 rallied 29 points or 0.36% when trade resumed after the Anzac Day long weekend.
Tech companies, energy producers and consumer stocks paced an advance that lifted all sectors except Basic Materials. Drags included BHP, Fortescue and CBA.
Beijing flagged new stimulus measures at a press conference this morning that was once again long on rhetoric, but short on detail. The vice head of state planning said additional measures would be unveiled as the economic outlook changed. The central bank deputy governor pledged to cut rates when appropriate.
US stock futures retreated in Sunday night action. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.52%, implying a break tonight in a run of a four straight advances for the US benchmark. The week ahead brings US inflation, GDP and employment data, as well as trading updates from Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon.
