Day traders' weekend lounge December 8 - 10

Thanks afternoon crew.

End-of-day summary:

The share market ended the week at its highest level since mid-September as iron ore prices rose for a second day and lithium miners rebounded.

The ASX 200 overcame early weakness to advance 22 points or 0.3% by the close. Today's rally capped a strong week that saw the index gain 122 points or around 1.7%. Most of the gains came on Wednesday as unexpectedly weak economic growth figures fuelled hopes that the Reserve Bank could start to lower interest rates earlier next year than previously priced in.

Santos was the best of the heavyweights today, rising 6.15% on the prospect of a mega-merger with Woodside. BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals all rose as iron ore prices gained 2.4% today in China. Further down the food chain, Sayona Mining, Allkem and Liontown led a rally in lithium miners.

Today's gains followed a positive session on Wall Street ahead of the November US jobs report tonight. The S&P 500 advanced 0.8%.