The ASX200 is up around .2 of a per cent at around lunchtime, led by strong gains from the energy sector and consumer staples.
Gold is trading just below USD 4470 an ounce, whilst silver is at USD 77 an ounce.
Green
Mesoblast is up after reporting US$35.1 million in revenue from Ryoncil sales for the December quarter — a 60% increase on the previous period, driven by strong demand for its cell therapy treatment.
Alkane Resources also shot up after posting gold equivalent production of 43,663 ounces in the December quarter, with output from gold and antimony across its three mines supporting a solid operational performance.
Red
Rio Tinto is down after confirming early-stage merger talks with Glencore. The deal, if it proceeds, could involve an all-share acquisition of Glencore via a court-approved scheme of arrangement.
European Lithium is down despite confirming construction is now underway at the Tanbreez rare earths project in southern Greenland, following formal approval by Critical Metals Corp.
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