The ASX 200 fell 51 points to 7327 (0.7%) after negative leads from overseas, FOMC caution and local CV19 cases started to increase. Mammoth CSL capital raising probably not helping either as other healthcare stocks came under pressure. RHC down 1.5%, RMD off 2.7% and COH down 1.6%.
Industrials eased back with tech hard hit again. The All-Tech Index down 2.8% led lower by WTC off 0.7% and APT down 3.1% as once again Block US price gave no reasons to be cheerful. TLS fell 0.2% and REA down 3.7% and SEK 3.4% lower, REITs slipped with GMG down 2.2% and SGP. In miners iron ore miners were weaker as BHP fell 0.5%, gold miners eased NCM down 2.2% and energy stocks off as STO fell 0.8% and WPL dropped 0.7%. Banks were mixed as WBC received a first strike with NAB 0.5% better and the BigBankBasket down modestly to $174.10.
In corporate news, WES look to have blocked WOW from the API ambitions. CTD are acquiring the Australian and NZ business of HLO for $100m in cash and $75m in shares. On the economic front consumer confidence slipped slightly by 1 point.
Sign up for a free trial to get full access to expert insights and independent stock market research.