Summary

• ASX 200 picked up after a subdued open on Monday, and was last 0.3% higher
• Wall Street closed lower on Friday amid virus-fuelled fiscal jitters and worsening diplomatic tensions with China
• Gold prices broke through $US1900 per ounce for the first time since 2011
• Perpetual is buying a dominant stake in United States asset manager Barrow Hanley in a $465m acquisition