AU stocks ended higher; S&P/ASX 200 up 0.70%

Stocks in Australia were higher Tuesday, after the close, with gains in the Energy, Industrials, and Resources sectors.

The S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.70% to hit a new 6-month high at the close in Sydney.

The session’s best performers on the S&P/ASX 200 were Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P). They rose 9.95% or 1.26 points to trade at 13.92 at the close. 

Moreover, Appen Ltd (ASX:APX) added 7.70% or 1.82 points to end at 25.46. In late trade, Sims Metal Management Ltd (ASX:SGM) was up 7.42% or 0.95 points to 13.75.

The session’s worst performers were GWA Group Ltd (ASX:GWA). They fell 8.09% or 0.30 points to trade at 3.41 at the close. 

Furthermore, Kogan.com Ltd (ASX:KGN) declined 5.18% or 0.91 points to end at 16.65. Pointsbet Holdings Ltd (ASX:PBH) dropped 3.46% or 0.61 points to 17.01.

The number of falling stocks exceeded the advancing ones on the Sydney Stock Exchange. It was by 685 to 685, and 349 ended unchanged.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX:Z1P) shares rose to all-time highs climbing 9.95% or 1.26 to 13.92.

On the other hand, the S&P/ASX 200 VIX fell 10.76% to 14.047.

EU Stock Futures Higher on Vaccination Optimism

European stock markets were opening higher Tuesday, extending the recent rally. This was on expectations of improved economic growth from the continuous fiscal and monetary support. Also helping the economy are the global COVID-19 vaccine rollouts.

The DAX futures contract in Germany traded 0.1% higher at 2:10 AM ET (0710 GMT). CAC 40 futures in France added 0.1%, and the FTSE 100 futures contract in the U.K. added 0.2%.

World equities extend their bull run for a 12th consecutive session, and EU markets will receive a positive handover from Asia. 

In many countries, rollouts of COVID-19 vaccines have been successful, with the U.K. leading the developed world. This raises hopes of further economic recovery as restrictions to combat the virus’s spread are rolled back.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion U.S. stimulus package continues to work its way through Congress further boosting market sentiment.

Despite this optimism, however, the immediate economic picture in Europe remains challenging. 

Passenger-car sales fell 28% in Europe’s five biggest markets, Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, and Spain. In January, dealerships were shut down, and customers shied away from large purchases.