The S&P/ASX 200 rose 60 points or 0.69% on Wednesday to close at 8,737.20, extending its recent gains and moving within 0.45% of its 52-week high. Energy and agriculture stocks outperformed, with Whitehaven Coal Limited climbing 6.53% and Elders Limited advancing 6.19%, topping the benchmark index. Over the past five sessions, the ASX 200 has added 2.05%, supported by strength across key sectors.
Broader sentiment remains buoyed by earnings optimism, rising commodity prices, and global equity strength, although investors remain watchful ahead of key economic data due later in the week.
The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index also pushed higher, gaining 17.5 points or 0.52% to finish at 3,381.30. It is now up 2.80% over the last five trading days. The small cap news today was a mix of quarterly reports and DFS milestones, which you can read about below.