S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) (ASX:XJO) has snapped its four-day losing streak by closing higher today.
4.10pm: ASX 200 closes up 1.1%
The ASX 200 has closed up 67.4 points or 1.1% higher to 5,962.4
At 2.30pm AEST, Australia's central bank kept rates on hold, as expected.
At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent - https://t.co/ahK2GWuwLx
— RBA (@RBAInfo) March 6, 2018
12.30pm: ASX 200 up 1.3%
The ASX 200 is up 76.1 points or 1.3% higher to 5,971.1.
Some of the top performing stocks include Qantas (ASX:QAN), WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC), Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS), Vocus Group (ASX:VOC) and Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU)
[VIDEO] Mid-Session 6 Mar 18: Local shares rebounded after four consecutive days of losses. Gains for US and European markets played a part in the improved tone, as concerns in relation to US tariffs eased https://t.co/b3Gt4SaS0a #ausbiz
— CommSec (@CommSec) March 6, 2018
10.10am: ASX 200 opens up 1.0%
The ASX 200 has opened up 57.3 points or 1.0% higher to 5,952.3.
Pre-market wrap: S&P/ASX 200 set to return to gains today after a strong Monday in the US
S&P/ASX 200 was looking likely to snap its four day run of consecutive losses pre-market as futures were indicating a positive start to the day.
The Dow Jones (INDEXDJX:DJI) closed up 336 points or 1.37% to 24,874 overnight to start their trading week on a positive note.
AT THE CLOSE: Dow snaps a four-day losing streak! @BillGriffeth & @BobPisani wrap up the day in the #ClosingCountdown! pic.twitter.com/xWPi4s3pwj
— CNBC's Closing Bell (@CNBCClosingBell) March 5, 2018
The AUDUSD is unchanged over the past 24 hours to 0.7763.
Gold was down slightly to US$1,321 per ounce while WTI Crude Oil was up 2.19% to US$62.59 per barrel.
Upcoming economic data: RBA expected to keep rates on hold today
At 2.30pm AEST the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to keep interest rates on hold at 1.50%.
This morning at 11.30am AEST the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will release its monthly retail sales data.
It is the change in the total value of sales at the retail level and this data point is the primary gauge of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.
The consensus forecast is monthly growth of 0.4%.