S&P/ASX 200 lifts for a sixth straight day as consumer confidence hits highest level for 2020

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has gained 0.15% to 6,685 as the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan measure of consumer confidence shows the benchmark reading rose for a second straight week to its highest level for 2020. ANZ-Roy Morgan Aus Consumer Confidence: The headline is now at its highest level in 2020. In fact, this is the first time in 18 months that confidence is higher than it was last year. We believe this bodes well for year-end spending. #ausecon #ausretail @DavidPlank12 @MBansi pic.twitter.com/JE6MEMAnhR — ANZ_Research (@ANZ_Research) December 7, 2020 The S&P/ASX 200 is lifting for a sixth straight day and is near its 9.5-month high hit briefly on Monday. It has surged by about 13% since early November partly on vaccine hopes. Bedding retailer Adairs (ASX:ADH) shares rose 5.3% per cent after delivering sales growth over the past 23 weeks despite temporarily closing its Melbourne stores due to lockdowns. The company’s sales rose by 17.3% as online sales almost doubled and accounted for about 40% of total sales. Takeover bid for Link Link Group (ASX:LNK) has received an offer from a third suitor, with NASDAQ-listed financial technology firm SS&C Technologies (NASDAQ:SSNC) offering a $3 billion indicative bid for the superannuation fund administrator. The offer at $5.65 per share is higher than the bid put forward by private equity suitors – Pacific Equity Partners and The Carlyle Group - which was rejected by Link six weeks ago. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX:CPH) (+45.16%), Rimfire Pacific Mining N L (ASX:RIM) (+11.11%), Elementos Limited (ASX:ELT) (+16.67%), Davenport Resources Ltd (ASX:DAV) (+28.00%), Legend Mining Limited (ASX:LEG) (+9.52%), Linius Technologies Ltd (ASX:LNU) (+21.05%) and VIP Gloves Ltd (ASX:VIP) (+20.97%). Proactive news headlines: Cyprium Metals kicks off diamond drilling at Nanadie Well Copper-Gold Project Cyprium Metals Ltd (ASX:CYM) has started a 1,700-metre phase one diamond drilling program at the Nanadie Well Copper-Gold Project in the Murchison region of Western Australia’s Mid-West. Andromeda Metals welcomes Wudinna JV high-grade gold results; set to build on 211,000-ounce resource Andromeda Metals Ltd (ASX:ADN) welcomes reverse circulation drilling results of up to 31 metres at 3.06 g/t gold at Clarke prospect within the Wudinna Gold Joint Venture Project with Cobra Resources PLC (LON:COBR) on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. Nanoveu in exclusive 12-month Australian and New Zealand distribution deal with Touch Guard for its antiviral products Nanoveu Limited (ASX:NVU) has entered into a 12-month exclusive agreement with Touch Guard Pty Ltd for the distribution of Nanoveu’s antiviral products, including Nanoshield products, in the Australian and New Zealand markets. VIP Gloves higher after approving dividend policy to distribute 20%-40% of profit to shareholders VIP Gloves Ltd (ASX:VIP) has approved a new dividend policy for the company whereby an annual dividend payout ratio of between 20% and 40% of earnings before significant items, subject to the company's financial position, will be determined. Yandal Resources encouraged by positive gold metallurgy results from Gordons Dam Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) is encouraged by positive initial metallurgical test-work on primary samples from Gordons Dam prospect with results confirming high gold recoveries of up to 97.53% using conventional gravity and cyanide leach techniques. archTIS’s new Nucleus Cyber acquisition expands Channel Partner Program in Asia Pacific and European markets archTIS Ltd’s (ASX:AR9) new acquisition Nucleus Cyber Inc is expanding its Channel Partner Program into the Asia-Pacific and European cybersecurity markets with three new channel partnerships. Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals to host first R&D presentation this month to update on Zilosul pipeline Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) will host its first research & development (R&D) day presentation on Monday, December 21, 2020, to update investors on Zilosul® in osteoarthritis and other indications. Torian Resources completes drill program aimed at boosting Mt Stirling gold resource Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TRN) has completed phase 1 drilling at the 33,900 ounces Mt Stirling resource in the Goldfields Region of Western Australia with 31 reverse circulation (RC) holes drilled for 5,767 metres.