ASX 200 hits 3-month high as tech stocks leads gains; business confidence falls

Markets await key US inflation data. Elders, Rural Bank end agribusiness loan deal. Business conditions, confidence fade as consumer sentiment stays weak. China lifts Aussie beef ban for 3 abattoirs.

Big-ticket corporate deals and economic updates are on investor radars this week. Picture: Gaye Gerard.

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Tuesday, December 12. The ASX 200 index closes 0.5 per cent stronger at 7235.30 points on broad-based gains led by the tech sector. 

The Aussie dollar, which marks 40 years since it was floated, is trading near US65.93c.