AU Evening Wrap: One-week high as interest rate worries abate

The $S&P/ASX 200(.XJO.AU)$ climbed 45.5 points or 0.66 per cent to a second-straight gain. Combined with strong gains yesterday, the rally sealed a weekly advance of 65.5 points or almost 1 per cent.

Mining services provider $Mineral Resources Ltd(MIN.AU)$ jumped 13.58 per cent to an all-time high on the prospect of a lithium spin-off. The company said it was considering listing its lithium business, but plans were not sufficiently advanced to warrant disclosure.

Embattled data forensics firm $Nuix Ltd(NXL.AU)$ surged 24.64 per cent on takeover speculation. The firm acknowledged media speculation but said it had not received a bid or written proposal from mooted suitor Reveal, a US tech firm.

$De Grey Mining Ltd(DEG.AU)$ rallied 11.86 per cent, $Sandfire Resources Ltd(SFR.AU)$ 7.97 per cent and $Silver Lake Resources Ltd(SLR.AU)$ 4.88 per cent. $Newcrest Mining Ltd(NCM.AU)$ gained 3.82 per cent.

$Fortescue Ltd(FMG.AU)$ rallied 6.14 per cent, $BHP Group Ltd(BHP.AU)$ 3.17 per cent and $Rio Tinto Ltd(RIO.AU)$ 2.72 per cent.

$Ramsay Health Care Ltd(RHC.AU)$ eased 1.28 per cent after ending negotiations with IHH Healthcare Berhad for the sale of a joint venture in Asia. Ramsay said discussions had concluded without a binding agreement for the sale of Ramsay Sime Darby.

Supermarkets and real estate investment trusts were among the morning's biggest drags. $Coles Group Ltd(COL.AU)$ shed 1.15 per cent, $Woolworths Group Ltd(WOW.AU)$ 1.64 per cent and $Goodman Group(GMG.AU)$ 1.09 per cent.