S&P/ASX 200 gains 0.61% as consumer confidence lifts for third time in four weeks

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) is rising for a second day in a row with the index gaining 0.61% to 5981 at 12.37 pm. The heavyweight banks, miners, Telstra (ASX:TLS) and Transurban (ASX:TCL) are making the biggest gains as the healthcare sector leads the way. CSL Ltd (ASX:CSL) rallied 3% after signing two agreements to manufacture and supply a total of 81 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from trials undertaken by the University Of Queensland and Oxford University. Consumer confidence lifts The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence rating increased by 1% to 91.1 (long-run average since 1990 is 112.7). Notably, confidence has lifted in three of the past four weeks. Sentiment is up by 39.5% since hitting record lows of 65.3 on March 29 (lowest since 1973). Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Linius Technologies Ltd (ASX:LNU) (+12.50%), Platina Resources Limited (ASX:PGM) (+10.00%), SUDA Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:SUD) (+9.30%), Greenland Minerals Ltd (ASX:GGG) (+13.33%), Andromeda Metals Ltd (ASX:AND) (+13.46%) and Highfield Resources Ltd (ASX:HFR) (+16.25%). Proactive news headlines: SUDA Pharmaceuticals secures Australia patent for Anagrelide cancer treatment, shares up 28% SUDA Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s (ASX:SUD) patent application for Anagrelide, an FDA and EMA approved drug to treat blood disorders to be repurposed for use in cancer, has been accepted by the Australian Patent office. FYI Resources higher on signing MOU with alumina major Alcoa to advance HPA development FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with leading alumina producer Alcoa of Australia Ltd for the potential strategic development of high-purity alumina refining technologies. Dotz Nano up 35% on signing landmark face mask authentication agreement for North America Dotz Nano Ltd (ASX:DTZ) has been up to 35% higher after entering an agreement granting Breathe Medical Manufacturing Ltd exclusivity in USA and Canada to supply the advanced 'Secured by Dotz' authentication solution for respiratory face masks and other PPE equipment. Legend Mining builds on Mawson with 12.95 metres of massive nickel-copper sulphides intersected Legend Mining Limited (ASX:LEG) continues to build upon the Mawson discovery of its Rockford Project in WA’s Fraser Range with 12.95 metres of massive nickel-copper sulphides intersected in a diamond drill hole. Great Southern Mining boosts Cox's Find golden potential with more high-grade hits Great Southern Mining Ltd (ASX:GSN) has received further strong intersections of up to 3.6 metres at 8.03 g/t gold from 169 metres in reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling at Cox’s Find project near Laverton, Western Australia. Kingwest Resources recommences drilling at Menzies Gold Project with 13,000-metre campaign Kingwest Resources Ltd (ASX:KWR) has recommenced drilling at its Menzies Gold Project (MGP) in Western Australia with a 13,000-metre campaign including 10,000 metres of resource definition drilling. Zelira Therapeutics forms subsidiary to launch hemp-derived oral care products in the USA Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD) (OTCMKTS:ZLDAF) has formed an oral care products subsidiary to commercialise scientifically formulated, hemp-derived cannabinoid-based oral care products in the USA. Metalicity raises $5 million to accelerate high-grade Kookynie Gold Project Metalicity Ltd (ASX:MCT) has received strong support in a placement with the $5 million raised to support accelerated exploration at the Kookynie Gold Project in Western Australia.