S&P/ASX 200 gains 0.78% following a record close for the S&P 500 overnight

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) gained 0.78% to 6,766 by about 1.53 pm following a surge in US markets overnight as President Biden signed the US$1.9 trillion stimulus bill. The Aussie market remains on track to lift for a second consecutive week with all sectors currently higher. Technology and energy stocks are the biggest gainers. “Highly supportive for consumption and growth” US stocks climbed to record highs on Thursday after Biden’s US$1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package became a law. The S&P 500 jumped 1% and hit a new closing high, surpassing its previous record from February 16 while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.5%. UBS Global Wealth Management chief investment officer Mark Haefele said: “While we expect conditions to remain volatile, the most recent developments on three of the main market drivers—stimulus, pandemic news, and inflation data— point to further equity upside. “The stimulus is substantially larger than had been expected earlier in the year. “Its provisions are also likely to be highly supportive for consumption and growth. “This windfall comes on top of existing signs of pent-up demand from US consumers.” Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE) (+11.83%), Artemis Resources Ltd (ASX:ARV) (+10.67%), Comet Resources Limited (ASX:CRL) (+13.64%), Elementos Limited (ASX:ELT) (+20.00%), Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS) (+13.46%), MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:MXC) (+17.65%) and YPB Group Ltd (ASX:YPB) (+50.00%). Proactive news headlines: Jindalee Resources lithium results extend McDermitt project in US and further demonstrate strategic scale Jindalee Resources Ltd's (ASX:JRL) remaining assay results from the last four drill holes completed in 2020 at McDermitt Lithium Project in Nevada, USA, continue to confirm extensions to mineralisation and further demonstrate the project's strategic scale. Argonaut Resources to begin drilling IOCG targets at Murdie next week Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) will start drilling next week at the Murdie project in South Australia targeting iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) mineralisation defined by large gravity anomalies YPB Group's enhancements to MotifMicro™ authentication solution app will advance commercialisation YPB Group Ltd (ASX:YPB) has completed enhancements to its MotifMicro™ (MM1) App ahead of schedule, placing it in the final development leg before widespread commercialisation takes place. Firefinch on-track with Morila gold guidance and plans to begin mining satellite pits in mid-2021 Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) (OTCMKTS:EEYMF) (FRA:N9F) continues to make strong progress at Morila Gold Project in Mali, West Africa and is on track to meet production guidance this quarter while advancing plans to begin mining satellite pits in mid-2021. Antipa Minerals advances two-pronged approach to gold-copper development in Paterson Province Antipa Minerals Ltd (ASX:AZY) is on the path towards developing its assets in the Paterson Province of Western Australia and has a two-pronged approach - with its joint venture partners and independently on its 100%-owned ground.