By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 lifted 35.4 points or 0.47% to 7573.8 in early deals on Tuesday, touching fresh record highs following a flat session yesterday as better than expected corporate earnings boosted risk appetite.
On the coronavirus front, Victoria reported 20 fresh cases today as unlinked community transmission in the state forced a weeklong lockdown on Sunday. New South Wales reported a near record 283 cases yesterday as fears of contagion spreads to regional areas, with health authorities announcing a snap lockdown for Byron Bay and Northern Rivers regions after a man travelled from Sydney at the end of July while infectious. Meantime, Queensland reported just 3 cases all linked to the Indooroopilly cluster, which were all in quarantine for their infectious period.
Among stocks, Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF) lifted 2.6% after reporting record sales and rising profits for the 2021 financial year. Meantime, James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX:JHX) surged 4.53% after upgrading guidance on strong growth expectations.
On the bond markets, local 10-year bond yields were at 1.225% while US 10-year rates lifted to 4-week highs of 1.324%.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 42.97 points or 0.34% to 12743.8.