ASX higher as iron ore surge lifts Fortescue 11%; BHP and Rio up 4%

Summary

• The ASX 200 was 0.5% higher at Thursday's open thanks to huge gains for iron ore miners BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue Metals. The bulk metal continued its march to seven-year highs overnight
• The S&P 500 edged to a new record high overnight while the Dow also rose as Wall Street investors weighed vaccine developments and stimulus talks against poor jobs data. The Nasdaq slipped lower
• Qantas says its scheduled domestic capacity of flights has bounced back to almost 70% of pre-pandemic levels for December and will hit 80% early next year following the reopening of state borders
• The Aussie dollar is trading at more-than two-year highs of US 74.15 cents