ASX gains; Whitehaven in $6bn BHP coal buy; RBA inflation warning; Codelco buy; Credit Corp tanks

Whitehaven buys BHP Qld coal mines in $6.4bn deal. BHP says IR hit to exceed $1.3bn. AUD jumps on better than expected China GDP. Credit Corp tanks on profit warning. RBA warns on inflation shocks. 

A number of local, global corporate, economic and geopolitical influences are driving equity investor sentiment. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Wednesday, October 18. The ASX 200 index closed 0.3 per cent higher at 7077.60 points following an energy stocks rally and stronger than expected China growth data. 

The Aussie dollar is near US63.80c.

Originally published as ASX gains; Whitehaven in $6bn BHP coal buy; RBA inflation warning; Codelco buy; Credit Corp tanks

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