The ASX clawed its way back to finish down 6 at 7447. After a negative start on tech woes, resources kept the index close to flat on thin holiday volumes. Iron ore miners led the gains with BHP up 2.4% and FMG rallying 1.3%. Lithium stocks were back in vogue as PLS piled on the points up 2%, MIN made minor gains up 2.7% and AKE up 0.8%. Energy stocks also in demand with WPL up 2.3%, STO up 0.7% and WHC rallying hard up 5.1%. Even AGL was stirring, up 8.6%.
Industrials flat across the board with tech taking a hit. XRO down 2.8%, WTC down 2.7% and APT continued lower by 2.3%.
Consumer stocks on the nose, WOW down 0.7%, DMP off 2.3% and WES off 2.3%. Healthcare under pressure again with CSL down 0.9% and RMD off 2.6%. Banks were mixed as CBA rose 0.7% and the BigBankBasket up slightly to $182.91. MQG suffered after recent gains down 1.8% and MFG bucking up 6.7%. In corporate news, VGI rose 11.1% on takeover rumours.
In economic news, building approvals up 3.6% slightly underwhelming against forecasts of 5%. 10-year yield up to 1.91%. Asian markets slightly higher.
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