Budget vs Bullion

The S&P/ASX 200 rose more than 1% to close at 8,945.9 points during Thursday's trade, supported by gains in the miners and the banks. 

A US government shutdown pushed the price of gold even higher, just shy of US$3,900.  Westgold Resources finished 8.2% higher, while Newmont shares rose 1.7%. Meanwhile, lithium players such as Liontown Resources and PLS rebounded from Wednesday’s losses. 

In the energy sector, uranium stocks made inroads following a US report indicating American nuclear utilities face possible shortages over the next decade.

Elsewhere, all major banks ended the session in the green, with CBA advancing by 2%. Meanwhile, the RBA released its Financial Stability Review, saying financial pressures on Australian households are easing.

In company news, REA Group bought a controlling stake in a Canadian company that does virtual 3D tours of properties. The price of the acquisition might have put off some investors with the stock shedding 1.9% while its parent company News Corp slipped 5.4%.

Tonight, factory orders are among some US data that might be disrupted in the coming days, amid the government shutdown.