Market Wrap / turn the lights back on!

The S&P/ASX 200 finished the session 0.52% lower at 8,753.40 points, as a stronger October jobs report pushed back expectations of an imminent cut from the RBA. News the longest US government shutdown in history is coming to an end failed to lift sentiment. The trading session was also marked by some big moves, starting with DroneShield's 31.4% tumble after a number of executives, including CEO Oleg Vornik, sold off vested shares.Xero also fell, closing down 9% as its strategy unnerved investors ande despite a strong HY26, with profit up 42% over the period.

Among the banks, ANZ shed 4.9% on the day it was trading ex-dividend. Elsewhere, Orica rose 2.5% after the explosives manufacturer reported its strongest earnings in 13 years, benefiting from stronger mining activity, notably in gold. In the mining space, the lithium players pushed ahead. PLS notably added 10.2% to its share price after flagging it is considering joining a US lithium-processing partnership. Tonight, Wall Street will focus on the government reopening, while locally tomorrow, Lendlease and Virgin Australia are among companies reporting results.