S&P/ASX 200 ends 0.4% higher, CBA, Afterpay gain, Ampol bid, Bitcoin rising

ASX 200 snaps five day losing streak to close 0.4 per cent higher, led by CBA and Afterpay. Ampol lobs Z Energy bid. Qantas offers rewards campaign for fully vaccinated passengers. Bitcoin hits $US50,000

The next six to eight weeks is often seasonally weak for shares, says AMP Capital’s chief economist Shane Oliver. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Monday, August 23. The ASX 200 has snapped its five day losing streak to finish 0.4 per cent higher. Gains in CBA and Afterpay help offset loses in Fortescue Metals and  Wesfarmers. 

It is the final week of earnings season.  Ampol, Sonic, Latitude report. Qantas offers rewards campaign for fully vaccinated passengers. Ampol bids for Z Energy in New Zealand. Bitcoin hits three month high of $US50,000.

Originally published as S&P/ASX 200 ends 0.4% higher, CBA, Afterpay gain, Ampol bid, Bitcoin rising