ASX 200 closes down 5 points to 6643 in thin cautious trade. Late slide into close. US CPI tonight is the focal point. Then results. AGM season continues locally, Banks pushing ahead again following a great run yesterday. The
Big Bank Basket up to $177.06 (2.1%).
WBC the stand out up nearly 3%.
MQG failed to fire falling 0.7% as insurers slipped,
QBE down 0.3% and
NHF off 12.0% after its cap raise.
MPL in a trading halt on word of a cyberattack. Healthcare eased again,
CSL off 1.2% and
COH down 2.0%. Industrials wafted around,
BXB down 1.1%,
TCL down 1.0% and
REA falling 2.3%.
REITs back on defence as yields rose,
GMG down 1.4% and
SCG fell 2.7%. Tech eased but nothing significant, the
All-
Tech Index down 0.3% with
WTC off 2.4%. In resources,
BHP fell 0.8% with lithium stocks a little depressed,
PLS off 4.5% and
CXO down 2.6%.
AKE dropped 5.6%. Gold miners were sightly better with some bargain hunters appearing,
NCM up 0.8% and
NST rallying 0.7%. Oil and gas stocks down,
WDS off 1.4% and
STO falling 0.8%. Coal stocks modestly lower.
In corporate news, Alan Joyce surprised the market with a profit update and the stock rallied %.
PLS held its AGM and
NHF returned to trade post its cap raise down 12.0%.
On the economic front, ABS Census data out today and we had weekly wage growth numbers, total wages, up 1.4%. 10-year yields rise again to nigh on 4% and Asian markets weaker across the board.
Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert insights and research and become a better investor.