End of Day Report – Wednesday 8 July: ASX 200 stages a Argentinian fightback to close down only 19 - Resources weaker - Banks firm - Tech down

The ASX 200 fell another 19 points to 8785 (0.2%) as resources were once again under pressure. Well off the lows though of around 120 pts down. BHP fell 2.3% on potential strike action, RIO dropped 2.6% and FMG held up relatively well. Lithium plays remained depressed, with PLS down 3.3% and LTR falling 4.3%. Gold miners were also under pressure, although well off their lows, with NST down 1.7%, EVN crashing 4.2% and GMD also in trouble. LYC managed a small gain, as did BSL. Oil and gas stocks were a bright spot as crude prices rose, with WDS up 3.2% and STO rising 5.8%. Coal stocks also fared better, with WHC up 2.1% and YAL rising 4.0%. Uranium stocks were mixed.

The banks were once again a safe haven, with the Big Bank Basket rising to $279.89  (0.98%) as CBA added 0.9% and ANZ jumped 1.2%. MQG slid 0.5%, while other financials were also under the pump, with NWL dropping 3.9%. Insurers were firmer on higher bond yields. REITs also pushed ahead, with SGP up 5.1% and SCG rising 0.8%. Healthcare took a breather today, with RMD dropping 0.8% and SIG falling 0.7%. The tech space was once again unloved, with WTC giving back recent gains, falling 7.3%, and XRO dropping another 1.2%. NXT fell 1.0%, while TLS eased % as a serious outage damaged the brand. The All-Tech Index down 1.4%. Retailers firmed, with WES up 0.5% and JBH gaining 1.9%.

In corporate news, RMD sold a software business, GGP appointed a new COO, and ADH warned of a $43m loss driven by impairments.

On the economic front, the RBNZ raised rates for the first time in three years. Locally, dwelling commencements fell 11.2%.

Asian markets were weaker. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.2%, Hong Kong up 2.9%, China dropped 0.2%, while the Kospi fell 5.5% following Samsung's results. European futures were slightly weaker.

US futures were also softer, with the Dow down 99 points and the Nasdaq off 42 points.

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