S&P/ASX 200 jumps 1.33% as CBA's Aussie Home Loans merges with Lendi

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) surged 1.33% to 6,719.5 by about 2 pm following a positive lead from Wall Street as investors welcomed the potential breakthrough on US stimulus talks combined with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The most improved sectors on the ASX are materials, technology and financials while industrials, consumer staples and healthcare are among the smallest gains. Miners and banks rise Miners have bounced back from their declines earlier in the week following a rebound in iron ore prices, helping miners including Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) (+2.75%), BHP Group (ASX:BHP) (+2.48%) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) (+2.28%). The big four banks are all lifting as much as 2% with ANZ Bank (ASX:ANZ) rising 2.05%. Afterpay (ASX:APT) is leading the technology sector with the buy-now pay-later stock hitting yet another record highs of $115 per share earlier today. Aussie Home Loans to merge with Lendi Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) will merge its Aussie Home Loans business with online loan platform Lendi. CBA said the move brings together its significant network, strong brand and deep experience in supporting customers with their property goals, with Lendi’s leading technology and platform. On completing the deal, CBA will retain a 45% shareholding in the combined business, with existing Lendi shareholders holding the remaining 55%. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) (+20.93%), Matador Mining Ltd (ASX:MZZ) (+12.50%), Danakali Ltd (ASX:DNK) (+10.34%), Titanium Sands Ltd (ASX:TSL) (+11.54%), Carnavale Resources Limited (ASX:CAV) (+11.11%), Cipherpoint Ltd (ASX:CPT) (+10.20%) and Venture Minerals Limited (ASX:VMS) (+26.00%). Proactive news headlines: Core Lithium intersects up to 37 metres of spodumene pegmatite in Grants resource drilling Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) has completed resource drilling at Grants deposit within the wholly-owned Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory with intersections of up to 37 metres of spodumene pegmatite. Roots Sustainable Agricultural Technologies signs agreement to pursue hemp-based meat opportunities Roots Sustainable Agricultural Technologies Ltd (ASX:ROO) is progressing its strategy to benefit from the fast-growing plant-based meat market, signing a letter of intent with Hempoint, a hemp producer in the Czech Republic, to explore hemp-based meat opportunities. Castillo Copper’s Big One Deposit could develop into a substantial standalone asset: SI Capital Castillo Copper Ltd’s (ASX:CCZ) (LON:CCZ) (FRA:7OR) Big One Deposit at Mt Oxide Project in Queensland could both develop into a substantial standalone asset or provide significant near term, high-grade copper ore to a proximal larger discovery, according to UK-based broker SI Capital. Comet Resources readies for drilling next quarter at Santa Teresa Gold Project Comet Resources Limited (ASX:CRL) is preparing for its maiden drilling program next quarter at the Santa Teresa Gold Project in Baja California, Mexico. Emyria set to accelerate first two drug development programs with $1.2 million strategic placement Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) has completed an oversubscribed $1.2 million placement to new strategic investors with the aim to accelerate the company’s drug development programs. Tempus Resources observes visible gold in drill hole at Blackdome-Elizabeth Gold Project in British Columbia, Canada Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) (CVE:TMRR) (FRA:4W0) has observed visible gold in drill hole EZ-20-06 at its Blackdome Elizabeth Gold Project in British Columbia, Canada. Creso Pharma expands footprint in Ontario, Canada, and is now available online Creso Pharma Ltd's (ASX:CPH) (OTCMKTS:COPHF) (FRA:1X8) wholly-owned subsidiary Mernova Medical Inc has secured an agreement with the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC), operating as the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), formally recognising Mernova as a supplier. West Wits Mining identifies eight target areas for further exploration at Paterson Province project in WA West Wits Mining Limited (ASX:WWI) has identified eight target areas for further exploration following a SKYTEM Heliborne Electro-magnetic (HEM) survey over the Mt Cecelia project area in WA's prolific Paterson Province Alkane Resources enhances regional gold bounty at Tomingley operations with hits up to 58.3 g/t at San Antonio resource Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK) has enhanced the golden bounty of regional resources within proximity to its Tomingley Gold Operations in Central West NSW with infill results of up to 3 metres at 58.3 g/t from 175 metres at the San Antonio inferred resource. Matador Mining's Cape Ray Gold Project continues to produce the goods with up to 20 metres at 5.08 g/t Matador Mining Ltd (ASX:MZZ) resource expansion and greenfields exploration drilling at the Cape Ray Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada, has continued to deliver shallow hiigh-grade gold intersections including 20 metres at 5.08 g/t at the Isle aux Morts target. Elixinol Global boosts A$2 million SPP to around A$12.3 million after fielding subscriptions totalling A$27.2 million Elixinol Global Ltd (ASX:EXL) (OTCQB:ELLXF) (FRA:E8M) has significantly increased the size of its share purchase plan (SPP) from the initial A$2 million target to around A$12.3 million to accommodate strong shareholder demand after it was significantly oversubscribed. Lotus Resources finds multiple near-mine exploration targets within short trucking distance of Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Malawi Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX:LOT) has identified multiple near-mine exploration target areas, all within a short trucking distance of the Kayelekera Uranium Mine site in Malawi.