The ASX 200 missed it by this much. Closed up 29 points to a near record close at 9044 (0.3%). Banks were once again the stars of the show as the ANZ result kicked it higher, up % with the Big Bank Basket up to $306.63 (+0.48%) a new record close. Other financials were sold down hard as AMP results bombed with investors, the stock falling 26.7%, ZIP dipped 5.8% and CGF fell 6.0 %. Insurers also under pressure again, QBE down 2.0% and MPL falling 2.2%. Industrials also fell in a heap, are we really at record highs? ALL down 3.9% and JBH losing another 1.0% with REITs under pressure again, GMG down 1.7% and SCG off 5.3%. ‘Old Skool’ platforms, again in the doghouse, REA down 3.3% and CAR hitting a speed bump off 5.3%. Tech stocks were horrible again. It continues to cascade lower, the All-Tech Index down another 6.7% with WTC falling 6.6%, XRO heading that way, down 8.4% and TNE off 6.9%. Healthcare checked into A&E as CSL fell another 6.9% with RMD dropping 2.6% and PME being sold down 23.9%  on disappointing numbers.

In resources, gold miners mixed, lithium stocks better, PLS up 3.8% and MIN pushing 1.4% higher. BHP and RIO doing well on copper prices, uranium struggling, LOT down 7.2% and PDN up 0.7% on better results.

In corporate news, TPW were smashed down 32.6% on disappointing numbers and increased discounting. AMP dropped and ASX fell 1.7% after its better-than-expected revenue, wiped out by expenses. BRG saw record EBITDA and popped 1.7% higher.

On the economic front, Michele Bullock got a grilling from one Senator.

US futures Dow up 141 and Nasdaq up 51.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Winners: WC8, ANZ, FRS, CBA, BRE, NST, ORG
• Losers: TPW, AMP, PME, QOR, SDR, IEL, LOV
• Positive Sectors: Banks. Banks. Banks.
• Negative Sectors: Industrials. Healthcare. Tech
• ASX 200 Hi 9105 Lo 9029 Near record close!
• Big Bank Basket: Skyrockets to $306.63 (+4.8%). New record high!
• All-Tech Index: Down 6.7% Got a different memo!
• Gold: Steady at $7114
• Bitcoin: Falls to US$67050
• AUD: Steady at 71.15c.
• Asian markets – Japan up 0.2% – HK down 1.0% and China up 0.2%
• European markets set for gains.
• US futures Dow up 140 and Nasdaq up 51

MARKET MOVERS

• WC8 +13.0% good move today.
• ANZ +8.5% Q1 results.
• FRS +6.2% new trading policy.
• CBA +5.4% broker upgrades.
• ORG +3.9% results beat.
• MEI +2.5% bounces.
• NIC +2.6% nickel prices higher on Indo moves.
• PEX +12.5% scrip bid from AIS.
• CNB +10.6% streets ahead today on drill results.
• BML +16.7% kicking again today.
• TPW -32.6% another miss.
• AMP -26.7% ouch! Misses expectations.
• PME -23.9% misses expectations.
• QOR -13.8% tech slide.
• AD8 -13.1% tech wrecked.
• BET -17.4% response to media speculation on bid from TAH.
• Speculative Stock of the Day: CBE +34.4% capital raise and buy in to copper project.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

• Senator Matthew Canavan accused RBA governor Michele Bullock of “gaslighting” Australians into believing the economy is better than it is. Bullock rejected his accusations angrily.
• The Australian ETF sector reported $5.3bn of inflows, pushing total funds under management to a record of $336.1bn in January.
• Silver, uranium, hydrogen, gold and copper ETFs recorded the sharpest growth, while VanEck noted investors exposed to South Korea through the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF had a total return of 21.3%.
• Trump rebuked over Canada Tariffs as Midterm anxieties grow.
• Japan’s top currency official said the government remains on high alert over foreign exchange movements.
• Copper extended gains, buoyed by a tighter supply outlook and a weakening dollar, even as Chinese buying waned ahead of the Lunar New Year break 17^th Feb to 3^rd March.
• Zhipu leads rally in Chinese AI stocks, surging 30%, as a wave of new releases hits market. The Shanghai STAR AI Industry Index climbed 1.7%.
• Japan Nikkei breaches 58,000 for the first time.
• McDonald’s sales surge as struggling US consumers seek out value.

And finally…..

Clarence

XXXX