ASX 200 Rises 0.3% at Finish

The ASX 200 rose 30 points, or 0.3%, to 8,709 on Tuesday, extending prior gains amid strength in consumer durables, tech, and manufacturing. Sentiment was supported by the Reserve Bank of Australia’s assurance that monetary policy remains well placed to respond to economic developments, with the board reaffirming its focus on price stability and full employment. At its September meeting, the central bank lifted the cash rate to a 15-year high of 4.6% in its fourth hike this year, as expected. Traders now await key domestic releases later this week, including August inflation, trade, and private sector credit, while bracing for September PMI readings in top trading partner China. On fresh data, household spending was flat in August, ending three months of growth. BHP Group gained 0.6%, and Rio Tinto added 0.4%, while South32 (2.9%) and Wisetech Global (2.8%) also advanced. However, the big four banks fell 0.3% to 0.9%, and energy majors Woodside (-1.1%) and Santos Ltd. (-1.0%) lagged.