The ASX 200 falls 5 points to 7452 (-0.1%) with ANZ and MQG ex dividend. Banks firm with three out of four not bad, Meatloaf would be happy. The Big Bank Basket rose to $190.43. Insurers better but other financials drift lower. Industrials were mixed, bond sensitive stocks pushed ahead with TCL up 0.7% and SCG rising 2.9%. TLS fell 0.3% and REA down 3.0% with healthcare in ICU as CSL fell 0.8% and SHL down 2.2%.
Miners were better despite iron ore under pressure Friday, BHP rose 0.8% after its coal sale, FMG better by 0.4% and gold miners in focus as bullion bubbles away. SBM up 5.2% as a recovery play and EVN up 4.0%. Energy stocks were better on higher crude prices and battery stocks doing well, lithium though a little depressed, ORE down 3.6% and PLS off 3.0%. Tech stocks eased with APT down 0.6% and XRO falling 4.9%. The All-TechIndex down 1.6%.
In corporate news, SYD rose 2.8% on the IFM bid firming up at 875c but many hurdles left to jump. SDR listed today with a staggering 38.5% gain. CUV dropped 8.3% as a board spill on the cards. BHP sold part of its coal business to SMR which celebrated in style rising 14.0%. ALL dropped 2.1% as Gopher Investments approach the target for certain due diligence information. 10-year yields 1.74%.
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