The ASX shook off predictions of a day in the red and took off on strong jobs data come lunchtime.
The benchmark index deviated from Wall Street’s rout and jumped 0.12%, while the All Ords rose 0.11%.
But the world will be watching New York overnight as markets react to projections that Republicans will take the House of Reps with a slim majority.
Checking in with commodities now, oil gave back its gains overnight — analysts say investors are holding back as some short-term supply risks ease.
Not even gold could crack a material gain, while copper dropped 1.66% to fetch almost US$4 a pound.
And iron ore futures held on to their green streak, up 2.5% to just more than US$98 a tonne.
The Aussie dollar is currently buying 67 US cents and 57 British pence.
Looking at today’s top stories, Webjet shares are in the green after bookings returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Managing director John Guscic said the result demonstrates “a spectacular turnaround”, and shares are up 8%.
In other news, the ASX has binned its controversial blockchain project and will write off around $250 million.
The exchange operator could refund customers who’ve invested in the CHESS replacement project, which has been five years in the making.
Among today’s small caps, Emmerson Resources has discovered high-grade gold at its Golden Forty Project in the NT.
Yandal Resources is also saying Eureka following the latest gold assays from two new Mt McClure prospects.