ASX Today Live News & Analysis

Australian shares have rebounded on the first trading day of the month, with all 11 sectors closing in the green after the market hit an eight-week low in the previous week.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index lifted 76.7 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 8,249.1 on Monday, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 77.7 points, or 0.92 per cent, to 8481.6.

The index took a breath after dropping 4.2 per cent in February, wiping out most of the year's gains and posting its worst monthly fall in more than two years.

"The ASX200 has been a little bit skittish overall today," IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told AAP.

"So a better start after a very rocky ride into the end of last week."

A surprise crypto announcement from US President Donald Trump overnight sent digital currencies higher and helped boost risk sentiment more broadly.

Mr Trump listed a handful of cryptocurrencies to be included in a US strategic cryptocurrency reserve.

All 11 ASX sectors closed in positive territory, with energy stocks gaining 2.0 per cent as oil caught a bid, and IT stocks and materials rising 1.8 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively.

Oil prices were higher after a Ukrainian attack on a Russian refinery, and as hopes of peace talks give way to uncertainty after a feisty meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The big four banks were largely flat except for Commonwealth Bank, which clawed back early losses to finish up 0.25 per cent to $157.13 as concerns of a potential de-rating of Australian banks gather steam.

While most large cap players finished higher, Suncorp and Insurance Australia Group shed 2.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively, after the weather bureau tipped Tropical Cyclone Alfred would reach Queensland's highly populated southeast coast later this week.

Big miners posted solid gains, with Rio Tinto up 3.6 per cent after resuming shipping at its Dampier Port after a cyclone, while South32 and BHP were higher on the back of positive manufacturing data out of China.

Looking ahead, analysts will have eyes on Australian GDP data on Wednesday, but expectations are for a fairly tepid print of around 0.5 per cent for the quarter.

Further afield, Mr Trump's planned 25 per cent tariffs for Mexico and Canada and a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods are set to kick in from Tuesday, but the tariff implementation date has so far been something of a moving target.

The Australian dollar has recovered slightly after losing more than three per cent last week and is buying 62.2 US cents. It could be a volatile week for currencies as the US prepares to impose the new tariffs.

ON THE ASX:

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Monday gained 76.7 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 8,249.1

The broader All Ordinaries rose 77.7 points, or 0.92 per cent, to 8481.6

The NZX 50 Lost -51.37 points (-0.41%) to 12,550.05 while the Nikkei gained 629.97 points (1.67%) at the time of writing, to be closed at 37,785.47

Companies commencing Ex-Dividend Trading Today (ASX 300):

Alcoa Corporation

Aurizon Holdings Limited

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited

Newmont Corporation

Propel Funeral Partners

Redox Limited

Steadfast Group Limited