ASX 200 slips 37 points to 6993 (0.5%) ahead of the crucial US CPI tonight. Banks held firm with the BigBankBasket up to $176.88 (0.7%) as CBA delivered and slid slightly lower by 0.3%. NAB rebounded 1.4% on broker comments and ANZ better by 3.4%. MQG backtracked 1.1% with insurers flat. Other financials relatively unchanged. Healthcare slid as CSL fell 1.6%, SHL off 2.9% and COH down 2.9%. REITS slipped GMG down 2.6% and Industrials slightly weaker, WES down 1.1%, REA off 3.8% and ALL down 1.2%. Tech fell back as Nasdaq woes and CPU results weighed on the sector. XRO fell 3.8% with WTC off 1.4% with heavyweight CPU falling 4.8%. The All-TechIndex fell 2.8%. In the mining sector, a wishy washy start saw buyers return but with no real conviction and slid into the afternoon. BHP down 1.3%, lithium stocks rolling off the top as PLS dropped 0.7% with MIN down 2.0% with LTR up 1.5%. Gold miners dribbled back, and oil and gas stocks eased although coal stocks better.
In corporate news, ISU saw a 30c bid, CBA fell 0.3% on a strong result, GNC up 5.1% on an earnings update and MYX sold a business for $680m, rising 4.4%. SBM sold off again by 11.6% after another production cut and A2M dived 6.9% as the US FDA deferred a decision on entry. ACL also eased 7.6% on its results despite seemingly better results.
In economic news, the ABS will begin monthly CPI reads from October. Asian markets weaker as Chinese CPI came in below expectation but still at a 2-year high. Japan down 0.7%, China down 0.9% and HK down 2.1%. 10-year yields rose to 3.23%
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