The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has smashed a new record high amid a surge in mining stocks and the first day of trading for repackaged Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares.
The ASX 200 hit an intraday high of 8,575.2 points, up 0.47%, just before midday on Thursday.
Materials is the leading sector, up 1.5% at the time of writing.
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Which ASX 200 stocks are pushing the market higher?
ASX lithium share Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) is the strongest riser of the ASX 200 on Thursday.
Liontown shares lifted 9.24% to an intraday peak of 65 cents amid a conference presentation today.
Next are ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) shares, which rose 9.2% to an intraday peak of $68.99.
This followed the share market operator releasing its 1H FY25 results.
ASX reported a 5.9% increase in operating revenue to $541.9 million and a 10.1% rise in EBIT to $253.7 million. This led to a 9.9% bumped-up interim dividend of 111.2 cents per share.
Investors are also showing strong support for Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) after its merger with Chemist Warehouse became official and the new shares began trading today.
Sigma is now the ASX 200's second-largest healthcare stock by market capitalisation. The Sigma share price rose 8.7% to an intraday high of $3 per share.
Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are next, rising 7.3% to an intraday high of $34.18 amid an update on new governance procedures from the beleaguered miner.
The company announced it has implemented many new measures, including disallowing key management personnel to use company resources, and enhanced policies relating to the sale of company assets, investment decisions, and managing whistleblower complaints.
There are also new protocols for managing related-party transactions, disclosing conflicts of interest, and requirements that personal conduct meets company values and standards.
The miner confirmed its former CEO and founder, Chris Ellison, has paid the $3.79 million fine imposed on him for various transgressions.
Another ASX 200 lithium share, Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) is also rising strongly today.
The fifth-biggest mover of the ASX 200 on Thursday, Pilbara Minerals shares lifted 5.6% to an intraday high of $2.25.
With no news from the miner today, it appears this may be a case of investors buying the dip.
The stock fell 5.6% over three days after the miner released an earnings update on Monday.
Potential imminent rate cut has market buzzing
Anticipation of the first interest rate cut in Australia continues to drive the ASX 200's northward trajectory.
The Reserve Bank of Australia will make its next call on rates next Tuesday, 18 February.
The market has been buzzing since better-than-expected inflation numbers for the December quarter upped the likelihood of a cut this month instead of the previously forecast May.
Interestingly, three of today's biggest ASX 200 risers are also among the 10 most shorted stocks in the marketplace.
