S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) (ASX:XJO) has closed on its high for the day and signficantly, above the 6,000-point level.
4.10pm: ASX 200 closes up 0.7%
The ASX 200 closed up 42.4 points or 0.7% to 6,042.2.
1.05pm: ASX 200 up 0.4%
The ASX 200 is up 26.9 points or 0.4% to 6,026.7.
[VIDEO] Mid-Session: #ASX200 starts the week higher & back above 6000pts https://t.co/LJjO1e2v8b #ausbiz
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 26, 2018
The Telco, Financial and Energy sectors are performing the strongest so far today.
BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) has been one of the biggest gainers today in the large-cap space after investors have supported the company's earnings result.
Conversely, QBE Insurance (ASX:QBE) has been sold off due to a weaker than expected result today.
10.55am: ASX 200 up 0.5%
The ASX 200 is up 0.5% or 32.3 points to 6,032.1.
Pre-market wrap: S&P/ASX 200 prepares for final week of reporting season
S&P/ASX 200 begins its fourth and final week of February reporting season today.
The Dow Jones (INDEXDJX:DJI) finished its week last Friday very positively, up 1.39% to 25,310.
AM Report 26 Feb 18: Another big rally in the US on Friday
Friday DOW +347.5pt, NAS +127pthttps://t.co/gKC0khIZcL
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 25, 2018
The AUDUSD is unchanged over the past 24 hours at 0.7838.
Gold was also largely flat, down US$2.20 to US$1,330 while WTI Crude Oil put on 1.29%, creeping higher to US$63.58 per barrel.
QBE, SKI, RWC, BSL and GEM
Companies of note reporting results today include:
• QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX:QBE);
• Spark Infrastructure Group (ASX:SKI);
• Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX:RWC);
• BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX:BSL); and
• G8 Education Ltd (ASX:GEM).
Reporting season https://t.co/WHIoJMRjvP via @Y7Finance
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 25, 2018
Upcoming economic data: No data today but US data tonight
There is no significant economic data being released today in Australia however there are a number of US data points tonight.
Investor Signposts - what to watch on the economic calendar this week : Business investment and home prices in focushttps://t.co/JnqDtzWAO9
— CommSec (@CommSec) February 25, 2018
At 2.00am AEST tonight the monthly new homes sales data in the US will be released.
It measures the annualised number of new single-family homes that were sold during the previous month.
It's a leading indicator of economic health because the sale of a new home triggers a wide-reaching ripple effect.