ASX 200 down 0.2%: Afterpay surges, gold miners jump, Fortescue sinks

Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX:FMG) shares are making a splash on the ASX 200 on Wednesday…

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At lunch on Wednesday the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to end its winning run. The benchmark index is currently down 0.2% to 6,757.7 points.

Here's what is happening on the market today:

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Image source: Getty Images

Treasury Wine US deal

The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price is pushing higher today after announcing a licensing agreement to progress its United States wine business. According to the release, Treasury Wine has entered into a long-term licensing agreement with The Wine Group. This will see its popular brands such as Beringer Main & Vine, Beringer Founders' Estate, Coastal Estates, and the Meridian range sold in the region. The deal is in line with its plans to deliver a premium-focused business in the region.

Afterpay surges higher

The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price is surging higher today following a rebound in the tech sector. The catalyst for this was a strong night of trade on the Nasdaq index after bond yields started to ease. Also giving the Afterpay share price a boost was news that it has completed its acquisition of Pagantis. This means that its European expansion can now begin. It isn't just Afterpay rising strongly today. A number of other tech shares are rebounding and helping to drive the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) 2.8% higher at lunch.

Gold miners jump

It has been a great day for Australian gold miners on Wednesday. The likes of Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX: RMS) and Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR) are storming materially higher after the price of the precious metal rebounded overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price rose 2.1% to US$1,717.25 an ounce after bond yields pulled back. At lunch, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is up a sizeable 3.6%.

Best and worst ASX 200 performers

The best performer on the ASX 200 on Wednesday has been the Ramelius share price with an impressive 11% gain. This follows the aforementioned rise in the gold price. The worst performer has been the Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price with a 7% decline. This follows a 6% decline in the spot iron ore price overnight.

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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