BHP in focus as CEO upbeat; Virgin lifts on broker optimism; Mesoblast top gainer; Fletcher's outlook warning

Bullish sentiment boosts local bourse as ASX 200 breaks key chart point. BHP's FY26 production forecasts more subdued amid Jansen blowout, but CEO upbeat on China. Mesoblast banks first millions from key US product sales.

BHP's key operational update in on resources investor radars on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

That's all from the Trading Day blog for Friday, July 18. The ASX 200 index closed up 1.4 per cent at a record high of 8757 points after hitting an all-time high of 8776.4, scoring its best day and best week in the past few months. Health care, miners soar. 

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes lifted 0.5 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively, to new all-time highs. The Dow Jones index closed 0.5 per cent stronger.

Cryptocurrency giant bitcoin is just under $US120,300, after hitting a record high above $US123,000 earlier this week.

The Aussie dollar is trading around US65.09c.

Originally published as BHP in focus as CEO upbeat; Virgin lifts on broker optimism; Mesoblast top gainer; Fletcher's outlook warning