Episode Details

The ASX 200 closed down 13 points at 8,831 (0.2%) after drifting from positive to negative throughout the day. The banks were a little sloppy, with WBC down 1.1% and the Big Bank Basket falling to $273.60 (-0.3%). The insurance sector also eased, while the rest of the financials were mixed.

REITs also had a mixed session, with CHC down 0.7%, while GMG edged slightly higher. Industrials lacked direction. Healthcare was the standout sector, with CSL up 2.0%, RMD rising 1.3% and SIG adding 1.1%. Technology stocks also found support, with solid gains in WTC and XRO, both up 7.3% and 1.8% respectively, while REA and CAR also finished higher.

Resources were mixed, with BHP down 0.8%, while FMG rebounded 0.9% from Friday's losses. The gold sector was in focus after GMD launched a rival bid for VAU, joining RRL in the takeover battle. Despite the M&A activity, NST fell 1.8% and EVN eased 1.6%. Lithium stocks were also slightly weaker, with PLS down 1.7% and LTR falling 2.9%.

In the oil and gas sector, despite little movement in crude oil futures, positive broker commentary helped WDS rise 0.8% and STO gain 1.4%. Coal stocks drifted lower, while uranium stocks were little changed.

In corporate news, it was all about the new VAU bid from GMD. We also saw a solid quarterly from GGP, while WOR firmed 0.2% after securing a new consultancy agreement. In the tech space, IFT edged 1.4% higher following an independent valuation of its holding in CDC.

There was nothing of note on the economic front today.

Asian markets mixed, Nikkei 225 down 0.5%, HK up 1%, China up 0.2%. Kospi down 1.5%.

US futures: Dow up 8 pts, Nasdaq up 223.

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