Lunch Report: ASX 200 advances as investors weigh encouraging jobs growth

Local shares are firming for a third day in a row. The ASX 200 is 43 points or 0.6% higher at 6,813. The index has broken above the 6,800 point mark for the first time since late February 2020. The improvements on the ASX 200 have been rather broad based with nearly all sectors higher. Technology stocks are outperforming with financials, consumer discretionary and staples also among the big improvers. Industrials are falling most.