ASX 200 closes off lows, up 2 points to 8423. Quiet trade with resources recovering somewhat, BHP down only 0.3% with FMG off 1.2%. Lithium stocks remained under pressure with PLS off 4.4% and MIN down 1.6%. Gold miners slightly better, NST up 1.0% and GMD up 1.9%. Energy stocks lower again with WDS down 1.1% and PDN falling 2.0%. Banks were mixed, CBA rose 1.5% with ANZ down 3.6% as CEO retires and successor named. The Big Bank Basket down to $261.01 (). Insurers weaker, QBE off 1.3% and platforms stocks easing back. SQ2 continues to push higher. Industrials mixed, RMD up 2.3% and FPH rising 1.7% with REITs slipping with the exception of GMG recovering 3.4% from the bungled sell-down last week. Tech a little mixed, XRO up 0.4% and the All-Tech Index off 0.1%. In corporate news, PTM fell 14.4% on news RPL had pulled out of discussions. 360 dropped 8.3% as directors sold small parcels, GQG released positive FUM and rose 6.3% despite cancelling buyback for US tax reasons. In economic news, Chinese CPI rose only 0.2% and Japanese GDP was revised down to -0.1%. Asian markets mixed with Japan off 0.2% and HK and China down 0.5%. 10-year yields steady around 4.21%
HIGHLIGHTS
- Winners: SXG, GQG, TUA, AD8, GMG, PGC, VUL, BRG
- Losers: PTM, 360, AAI, RSG, RPL, PYC, CHN
- Positive Sectors: Gold miners. Tech.
- Negative sectors: Iron ore. Lithium. Oil and gas. REITs. Insurers. Banks.
- ASX 200 Hi 8423 Lo 8371
- Big Bank Basket: Lower at $261.01 on ANZ falls.
- All-Tech Index: Falls 0.1%
- Gold: Higher at $4128
- Bitcoin: Lower at US$98997
- 10-year yields ease to 4.21%.
- AUD: Lower at 63.86
- Asian markets mixed with Japan off 0.2% and HK and China down 0.5%.
- Dow Futures down 33 Nasdaq down 15
MARKET MOVERS
- SXG +6.8% excellent drill results.
- GQG +6.3% FUM still flowing in.
- VUL +3.0% EFA conditionally approves $196m commitment.
- AIA +2.0% indigestion from sell-down released.
- TVN +15.6% Speedwah fluorite project awarded major project status.
- AIM +9.5% change in director’s interest.
- EIQ +3.9% first step in US commercialisation strategy.
- AVH +7.0% follows US listing higher.
- PTM -14.4% Regal pulls out.
- RPL -5.5% PTM deal is off.
- BPT -4.2% Perth Basin Site visit.
- 360 -8.3% directors sell small parcels.
- CHN -5.3% under pressure again.
- BTR -13.8% implementation of scheme for AME.
- CXL -12.2% capital raising and SPP at 75c
- Speculative Stock of the Day: NVQ +61.3% no new news. Ok Volume.
ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS
In August 2024, median weekly earnings for employees was $1,396, up $96 from $1,300 in August 2023.

- Japan’s Q3 GDP growth was revised to -0.1%, testing bets on a December Bank of Japan rate hike. Private consumption, accounting for 60% of GDP, may influence the BoJ more than GDP data for rate hike decisions.
- Chinese consumer price index rose just 0.2% from a year earlier, below expectations of 0.4%. Factory deflation extended into a 26th straight month, though the 2.5% drop in the producer price index was slower than October’s 2.9% decrease.
- Omnicom and Interpublic in merger talks to become largest advertising group.
And finally…..

What do you call a detective who just
solves cases accidentally?
Sheer Luck Holmes
Clarence
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