Market Updates

The ASX 200 finished unchanged at 8809, fighting back from earlier losses as resources found a footing. US futures helped, as did steady markets across Asia. Banks eased back, with CBA down %, leaving the Big Bank Basket at $281.76 (-0.6%). Other financials also weakened, NWL fell 2.2% and SOL dropped 0.8%. REITs were easier too, with GMG down 2.7% and CHC falling 1.3%. WOW and COL slid 1% as defensives were sold down. Healthcare picked up a little, with CSL rising 1.3% and COH up 1.6%. Industrials generally eased, WES flat and TCL dropped 0.8%, with SGH off 1.4%. Tech stocks were mixed, XRO and WTC found buyers, TNE fell 1.3% and NXT was 3.2% easier. All-Tech Index fell 0.3%. 
Resources staged a good turnaround, with BHP up 0.6% and FMG up 1.3%, while the gold miners recovered after early losses. Bullion pushed back above US$4,000. EVN rose 3.2% and VAU gained 1.4%. S32 also had a better session, while lithium stocks posted small gains. Oil and gas stocks rose as crude pushed higher, with WDS up 3.0% and STO rallying %. Coal stocks were firm, WHC up %, while uranium stocks were whacked again. PDN fell 6.0% and NXG lost 3.2%.
In corporate news, KKR joined the consortium bidding for SDF. LNW powered 8.0% higher on a guidance update. CTD remains suspended as it tries to negotiate terms with the UK Government to stave off a liquidation event. GMD and VAU agreed terms for their merger.
On the economic front, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index rose slightly. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose 4.1% to 83.9 in July from 80.6 in June.
Asian markets were better, Japan up 0.5%, HK up 0.3% and China up 1.2%, Kospi up 1.2%.
US futures slightly positive. Oil up 1.7%.
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US stock indices closed lower on Monday amid weakness in chipmakers and a deteriorating macroeconomic backdrop. The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, the Nasdaq 100 lost 1.9%, and the Dow dropped 138 points. Chipmakers sank on persistent concerns that AI hyperscalers will be forced to scale back spending on AI infrastructure. SK Hynix ADRs fell 8.6% after surging 13% in their debut on Friday, as a Korean brokerage warned the company could miss its next earnings expectations. Nvidia shed 3.5%, Broadcom was down 4%, AMD retreated 4.2%, and Intel fell 6.1%, while memory producers Sandisk and Micron lost 12.6% and 4.3%, respectively. Stocks in other sectors also declined alongside US Treasuries after President Trump said the US would reinstate the blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating the conflict and raising the risk of energy-driven inflation. Major banks fell ahead of this week's earnings, with JPMorgan down 0.6%, Bank of America falling 0.3%, and Goldman Sachs losing 0.9%.
SPI down 8 - Resources under pressure.
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The ASX 200 recovered from early losses to close up just 3 points at 8,809, despite weakness across the region, particularly in Korea. Once again, the banks held firm, with the Big Bank Basket rising to $283.41 (up 0.8%). ANZ was the best of the bunch, gaining 1.1%. Insurers also rallied, with IAG rising 2.0% and SUN adding 0.9%.
Other financials eased, with BVS falling 5.5% on profit-taking after a strong week. Industrials were generally soggy. CSL fell 1.3%, RMD dropped 4.9%, and technology stocks remained unloved. XRO fell 4.3% following CEO share sales, WTC drifted another 2.0% lower, and WBT crashed back to earth, falling 10.6%.TLS recovered 1.6% after its week from hell. REITs were surprisingly firm, with SCG up 0.3% and GPT gaining 0.2%. The supermarkets were not so super, with WOW down 0.8% and COL falling 1.9%.
In resources, it was once again heavy going as Treasury yields rose and the gold price came under pressure. Iron ore stocks held firm, but the gold miners succumbed. NST fell 2.8%, while GMD gained 3.7% as RRL pulled out.
In corporate news, RRL threw in the towel on its bid for VAU. OML extended due diligence for the three interested parties, while CCX soared following a positive trading update. There was nothing of note on the local economic front.
Asian markets were mixed with the Nikkei 225 down 2.6%, the Hang Seng down 0.2%, and the CSI index down 1.7%. Kopsi crashed 9.0% as SK Hynix fell hard.
US futures were weaker with the Dow down 208 and the Nasdaq down 388. European market expected to open 0.6% weaker.
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Wall St rose Friday, closing out a second straight week of gains in a quiet session. Dow Jones up 150 points. S&P 500 up 0.42%, closing in on record highs. Nasdaq up 0.29%. Russell 2000 down 0.49%. VIX down 5.11%. Mag7 up 1.4%. SOX flat. SaaS down 0.8%.
SPI futures up 43 points or 0.49%. RRL pulls out of VAU race - OML extends bid deadline.
For the week, the S&P 500 rose 1.23% and the Nasdaq added 1.74%. Mag7 up 3.96%. The SOX up 2.70% after a volatile week, though still well below its June 22 record. The KOSPI meanwhile fell 7.57% and Chinese markets dropped 4.20%, while the Dow slipped 0.78% and the ASX 200 eased 0.43% (weighed down by resources, gold especially). European markets broadly weaker - the DAX down 2.76%, CAC down 1.99%, STOXX 600 down 1.91%.
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The ASX 200 rose 44 points to 8,806, up 0.5%, after a slow start, with the banks finding their feet. For the week, the ASX 200 fell 38 pts. CBA rose 0.5% and ANZ gained 0.8%. The Big Bank Basket rose to $281.06 (0.6%). Other financials also firmed, with MQG up 0.9% and NWL rising 2.2%. ZIP rallied 2.0%. REITs were better, with GMG up 0.2% and CHC rising 2.2%. In the industrials, we saw some profit-taking, with TLS under pressure now that Vicki Brady is back on board from her holiday. WOW and COL were also in profit-taking mode after defensive buying earlier this week. Elsewhere, the healthcare sector pulled back after a strong week, with CSL down 2.1% and RMD falling 0.9%. Technology stocks were under pressure, unable to capitalise on the improved outlook for US software companies, with XRO down 1.3% and WTC falling another 1.8%. The All-Tech Index fell 0.6%.
Resource stocks were the heroes today, as the iron ore miners pushed higher. BHP bounced 2.5%, RIO also recovered after yesterday's heavy falls, rising 3.8%, while FMG edged up 2.0%. Gold miners were back in the green after this week's weakness, with EVN up 3.4% and NST gaining 1.7%. Lithium stocks remained under a little pressure, with PLS up 0.4%. Oil and gas stocks eased, with WDS and STO both lower. Uranium stocks were stronger, with PDN up 4.1%, while SLX was one of the standout performers, soaring 9.4%.
In corporate news, INA responded to media reports of an approach from PPC. BVS jumped after it upgraded its FY26 earnings. WTC fell despite reassuring the market on DSV relations. SFR up strongly on an increase in its Black Butte mine life. 
There was nothing of note on the local economic front.
Asian markets were mixed with the Nikkei 225 up 1.7%, the Hang Seng up 1.3%, and the CSI index down 1.0%. Kopsi up 4.2% ahead of SK Hynix debut. European futures were narrowly mixed.
US futures were weaker with the Dow up 12 and the Nasdaq down 153. 
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