The ASX 200 slipped again by 19 points to 8800 (0.2%) as CBA continued to weigh, off another 3.1% with the Big Bank Basket down to $279.76 (-1.6%). Joining in the casualty list were 360 off 13.1% on disappointing numbers and ALL down 7.5% as it came up lemons. Our dismal tech sector continues to slide as XRO head lower still, off 2.2% and WTC down 0.8%. REA fell 2.5% and CAR down 1.0%. Industrials were ok, TCL up 0.5% and WES gaining 0.7% with COL and WOW better, TLS gained another 0.4%. GYG continue to be wrapped lower, down 2.0% and TPW also fell hard today, off 4.4%.

In resource land, iron ore improved in Asian trade, BHP up 0.6% and RIO sprinting 2.3% ahead. Gold miners were modestly better, NST up 1.4% and EVN up 2.0%. Lithium stocks better, LTR up 6.1% on its new auction platform, MIN roared 9.2% ahead on selling part of its lithium business to POSCO. LYC slid 2.7% with uranium stocks weaker. Oil and gas stocks better with WDS up 1.4%. Coal stocks weaker.

In corporate news, FLT rose 1% on an earnings update, NWL fell 0.4% after surviving a protest vote at the AGM, MP1 resumed trade after capital raising. A1N dropped 9.7% on much weaker ad revenue. DMP rose 1.8% after an AGM update.

In economic news, investor loan numbers, in Asia hopes for more Chinese stimulus helped iron ore prices higher.

Asian markets mixed, Japan up 0.8%, HK up 0.4% and China down 0.4%.

10-year yields steady around 4.39%

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: MIN, DTR, GNG, LTR, CNI
  • Losers: 360, SRL, ALL, MI6, ZIP, CU6, TLX
  • Positive Sectors: Oil and gas. Iron ore. Gold miners. Lithium.
  • Negative Sectors:  Banks. Tech. Old ‘Skool’ Platforms.
  • ASX 200 Hi 8844   Lo 8805
  • Big Bank Basket: Down to $279.76 (-1.6%)
  • All-Tech Index: Down 2.0%
  • Gold: Drifts to $6301
  • Bitcoin: Falls to US$103232
  • AUD: Steady at 65.19c.
  • Asian markets mixed, Japan down 0.1%, HK up 0.6% and China down 0.4%.
  • 10-year yields steady around 4.37%
  • US futures – Dow up 31 Nasdaq up 69.
  • European markets set to open firmer.

MARKET MOVERS

  • DTR +8.8% volatility to the upside.
  • MIN +9.2% POSCO deal.
  • LTR +6.1% auction site.
  • GNG +6.9% Ausbiz shout out!
  • SPL +15.6% good volume too.
  • STK +8.8% exceptional gold at Gradina.
  • G50 +10.0% to present at MS Symposium.
  • MYX +1.7% FDA to remove ‘Black Box’ markings.
  • 360 -13.1% results disappoint.
  • SRL -9.0% volatility continues.
  • ALL -7.5% comes up lemons with results.
  • MI6 -6.4% falls undercover.
  • CRS -6.7% high-grade results extension.
  • ZIP -5.4% falls continue.
  • Casualty of the Day:  360 -13.1% Results weigh.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: Nothing on any volume.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • The Australian exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has swelled to a total of $322 billion, driven by a record $6bn in net inflows during October, according to the latest Global X report. The market has grown by 38.4% over the past year.
  • The number of new investment loans rose by 13.6% to 57,624 in September quarter 2025.
  • The ABS reports that foreign visitor arrivals to Australia returned to pre-COVID levels in September, led by strong traffic from New Zealand. China remained below pre-pandemic levels at 83,000 visitors, compared with 99,000 in 2019.
  • SoftBank shares plunge as much as 10% after selling Nvidia stake.
  • Iron ore futures prices gained on Wednesday, as hopes of fresh stimulus from top consumer China outweighed concerns over a gloomy outlook.
  • The most-traded January iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) rose 1.18% to 772.5 yuan ($US108.45) a metric ton, its highest since November 7.
  • Trump hints at cutting tariffs on India as loyalist Sergio Gor sworn in as ambassador.
  • New Indian IPO ‘Billionbrains Garage’ rose 22% on debut!
  • Toto Wolff in talks to sell part of Mercedes F1 stake to CrowdStrike chief at $6bn valuation.
  • Chinese bitcoin fugitive jailed in UK over Ponzi scheme.
  • China’s cybersecurity agency accused the American government of orchestrating the theft of about $13bn worth of Bitcoin, representing China’s most recent attempt to attribute major cyberattacks to the US.

And finally….

Clarence

XXXX