End of Day – Tue 15 Feb

•  The ASX 200 closed down 37 points at 7207 (0.5%) as banks and miners sagged. Iron ore futures in Asia under pressure, BHP reports record numbers but falls 0.3%, FMG down 5.1% and RIO off 2.3%. Lithium miners remain depressed, PLS down 2.0% and MIN off 5.3%. Gold miners holding firm after big run yesterday. NCM down 0.3% and EVN off 0.5%. Base metals also under pressure with energy stocks running out of gas, WPL down 2.5% and STO down 4.2%. BPT reversed all engines after good gains yesterday falling 10.5%. Banks were weaker with the Big Bank Basket at $180.78. WBC fell 3.4% giving up the gains from yesterday and ANZ down 1.4% but NAB holding steady.
•  Industrials were better, BXB jumped 6.2% on takeover rumours, COL up 1.4% and WOW better by 1.1%. Healthcare still in ICU with CSL at two-year lows down another 0.2%. RMD taking a hit down 4.6%. Tech flat but SQ2 up 4.2% on Block moves in US. 
• In corporate news, results, results, results dominated. SGM was a standout rising 13.7% on dividends and buy back, SEK did well on its numbers, up 6.1%, SWM slipped despite decent numbers. 
• On the economic front RBA minutes out and backed up the patience on rates mantra. We do not have 7.5% inflation that the US has, and Lowe is in no hurry. Consumer confidence bounces back. Asian markets mixed, HK down 0.7%, Japan down 0.6% and China up 0.9%. 10-year yields pushing higher again to 2.18% 

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