The ASX 200 rose 42 points, or 0.5%, to finish at 9,020 on Thursday, recovering after losses in the previous three sessions. The advance followed bargain hunting after Australian markets reached a four-week low, as second-quarter GDP data strengthened expectations that the Reserve Bank could deliver another rate hike later this month. Private-sector activity in China, Australia’s top trading partner, accelerated in August from July’s four-month low, supported by stronger output and new orders across manufacturing and services. Non-energy minerals led sector gains, followed by financials, manufacturing and communications, while energy minerals, consumer durables and healthcare declined. Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining each gained 2.6%, the big four banks rose between 1% and 2%, and Lynas Rare Earths climbed 2.4%. Corporate Travel plunged 84% to a near 14-year low after trading resumed following a year-long suspension over missed financial reporting deadlines.