The ASX200 was up about 0.7 % by early afternoon, led by a 2 % jump in the materials sector which hit a record high as gold and silver surged to fresh peaks. Financials and real estate added modest gains while energy and consumer staples slipped. US indexes closed at record levels, reinforcing global optimism. Upcoming focus includes US inflation data, the Fed’s Jan 28 rate decision, the start of earnings season and Australian job‑vacancy figures.

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