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The ASX extended last week’s green run into the new week with the key index closing the first trading session of the week up 0.82%, buoyed by a surge in technology and energy stocks today.

Tyro Payments (ASX:TYR) made waves today, jumping more than 8% after the fintech company announced an unaudited first half trading update including group revenue up 45%, payments transaction value up 37% and payments normalised gross profit rose 36%. These results indicate a turn-around in company performance after turbulence faced in 2022. Biotech company PolyNovo (ASX:PNV) also released a first half trading update today including record sales of $27.3 million for the first half of the 2023 financial year, up 67.5% on the prior corresponding period. This record result was driven by record sales in the US of $22.8 million.

Reformed commercial airline, Virgin Australia (ASX:VAH) may soon take its competitive edge to the ASX after Bain Capital, the firm which rescued Virgin Australia from voluntary administration back in 2020, said it will soon seek advice on an initial public offering. Investors will also be pleased with the first-half results preview released by Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL) today, the parent company of Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sport, BCF and more, after the company released record first-half sales performance.

Sector wise today, tech stocks led the rally, with the sector closing the session up 1.81%, while every other sector also closed Monday’s session in the green.

The winning stocks today were led by Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL) jumping 7.68%, Megaport (ASX:MP1) adding 7.46% and Imugene (ASX:IMU) rallying 6.25%. And on the losing end of the market, Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) tumbled 6.17%, Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) lost 3.85% and Monadelphous Group (ASX:MND) fell 3.76%.

The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients were the BetaShares Australian Strong Bear Hedge Fund (ASX:BBOZ), Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) and BHP Group (ASX:BHP).

Taking a look at commodities, oil has retreated from last week’s rally, steadying just above US$79/barrel as investors weighed improving demand outlook from China, against the rising prospect of a global recession. Gold continues to rally, trading 0.26% higher at US$1925/ounce while iron ore is trading lower amid China’s latest attempt to dampen positive outlook for demand of the commodity.

The Aussie dollar is buying US$0.70, 89.24 Japanese Yen, 57.11 British Pence and NZ$1.09.

Australia’s building permits data for November released today showed a decline of 9% for the month which was in-line with market expectations.