The ASX 200 rose 4 points to 7245 (+0.05%) with banks holding up and resources and techs on the nose. The BigBankBasket was better at $173.04 with CBA better, up 0.7%. Other financials mixed with MQG up 0.2% and MFG off 4.0% on latest FUM numbers. Insurers sank as QBE gave up 1.4% and IAG dropped 3.8% on lower interest rates. Industrials firmed in defensives with REH up 1.7%, BXB up 1.5% and TCL rising 1.6%. Consumer stocks better as COL and WOW rose 2.6%The tech sector was attacked with gusto, SEK fell 0.7%, REA off 1.2% and TLS down 0.3%. Sell now, buy later stocks collapsed today as APT fell 4.3% on Square falling in the US, SZL dropped 16.1% and ZIP down 10.1%.
Other tech high-flyers also came under fire with 360 dropping 14.0% and lithium/ battery tech stocks suffering, NMT down 11.1 % and VUL down 8.4%. The All-TechIndex slid 2.2%. In resources, gold miners were enjoying higher bullion prices and a lower AUD, EVN up 3.7%, SLR up 4.6% and RRL rising 3.0%. Iron ore miners down led by BHP off 1.6% and lithium stocks also falling, AKE down 7.2% and PLS off 4.1%.
In corporate news, MTS rose 7.3% after positive numbers and a 31% increase in dividends. BAP fell foul of investors as popular CEO got pushed early dropping 5.6%. BLD rose 1.6% after the US exit of its fly ash business, eviscerating the Mike Kane legacy. ANZ job ads were up 7.4% and the 10-year yield fell to 1.57%.
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