Closing Bell: ASX has best day in nearly 2 months

The ASX 200 closed 1% higher at 7,370 points, a level that saw it nearly recoup losses made earlier this week. The ASX Emerging Companies Index rose 1.64% to close at 2,554 points.

All sectors were in the green with the biggest winners being tech, which gained 3%, and energy, which was up 2.78%.

Markets rallied even though the Fed confirmed it was looking to scale back asset purchases in November and complete the process by mid-2022.

However, the likelihood of Chinese property developer Evergrande defaulting — the other big concern earlier this week — shrank with media speculating the company would undergo a restructure.

TODAY’S BIGGEST WINNERS

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Uranium minnow Aura Energy (ASX:AEE) rocketed on its return to the ASX after being suspended since mid-2020.

Thailand focused gold explorer Kingsgate Consolidated (ASX:KCN) rose after an update to shareholders on its efforts to get permission to restart operations.

Gold explorer Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI) rocketed off the back of its latest gold intercepts.

New IPO Revolver Resources (ASX:RRR) had a solid debut gaining 20%.

Outside resources, one winner was AuMake (ASX:AUK), a former daigou retailer that is delving into the ecommerce space. It rose after signing a deal with Wiseway (ASX:WWG) to receive freight services.

TODAY’S BIGGEST LOSERS

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Arcadia Minerals (ASX:AM7) dropped after releasing its maiden resource at the Swanson tantalum/lithium project in Namibia.

ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU MAY’VE MISSED

Soon to be acquired food delivery stock Youfoodz (ASX:YFZ) told shareholders it signed a lease agreement to build and lease a production facility in Queensland. The new facility will combine its existing three production sites with its corporate locations in one facility.

Pexa (ASX:PXA) was given approval to operate in the ACT. The ACT was one of the few remaining non-mandated jurisdictions in Australia.

Dexus (ASX:DXS) announced it was buying a portfolio of industrial properties – headlined by Jandakot Airport in WA – for a combined price of $1.5 billion. The deal will be partly funded by a capital raising and be completed with fellow listee APN Industrial REIT (ASX:ADI).

Openpay (ASX:OPY) extended its partnership with Kogan (ASX:KGN) to include its B2B product. The company says its B2B platform, OpyPro is now servicing over 7,000 business customers.

Micro-X (ASX:MX1) signed an $8 million project agreement with the Australian Stroke Alliance. The pair will develop lightweight stroke diagnostic imaging technology targeted at early stage stroke diagnosis.

Insurance Australia (ASX:IAG) reported receiving 435 claims since the Victorian earthquake. The company told shareholders it was too early to determine the full extent and financial impact.

TRADING HALTS

Friday 

Jaxsta (ASX:JXT) – capital raising
State Gas (ASX:GAS) – capital raising
Threat Protect (ASX:TPS) – capital raising

Monday

Silex Systems (ASX:SLX) – capital raising
High Peak Royalties (ASX:HPR) – capital raising
Armour Energy (ASX:AJQ) – capital raising
Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) – capital raising and acquisition
Engage:BDR (ASX:EN1) – capital raising
DC Two (ASX:DC2) – capital raising
Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX:CIP) – acquisitions and capital raising