ASX 200 closes up; Neuren dismisses Daybue claims; IAG's $200m buyback, QBE profit more than doubles; Star jobs deal

Australia's share market continues to recover from a mid-week selloff. The S&P/ASX 200 ends up 0.7 per cent at a two-week high daily close of 7658.3 points after rising to 7681.1, not far from a record high of 7699.4. Neuren dismisses US short-seller Culper's Daybue claims. Inghams' cloudy outlook weighs. 

A relatively less busy earnings day for investors compared to earlier in the week.

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Friday, February 16. The ASX 200 index  continues to recover from a mid-week selloff, closing up 0.7 per cent at 7658.3 points led by strong mining and tech gains. The ASX 200 gained 0.7 per cent for the week, led by tech, consumer discretionary, property, industrials, utilities, financials and consumer staples.

The Aussie dollar was trading around US65.16c.