The ASX 200 finished up 20 to 8937 (0.2%) despite the big miners falling on lower iron ore prices.  Banks pushed up slightly, NAB down 1.0% and ANZ off 3.1% with the Big Bank Basket up to $304.06 (%). Other financials were mixed, NWL rallied 3.7% and GQG up 5.5% with ZIP forging ahead up 5.5%. MQG rose 0.4%. Insurers better. Industrials were solid, WES up 1.2% with retail better as JBH rose 7.5% on better results, ALL up 2.2% and WOW and COL slightly firmer. ‘Old skool’ platform stocks also doing ok, REA up 2.9% and CAR up 2.7%. Tech stocks were the standouts after a torrid week last week. WTC up 12.9% and XRO rallying 7.6% with the All-Tech Index up 4.0%. 360 rose 6.8% with CAT also doing well, up 5.1%. REITs firmed, GMG up 0.6%.

In resources, the big three iron ore miners sold off as prices dipped below $100. Gold miners were bid up, GMD up 7.4% on a takeover of MAU. NEM gained 2.7% and WGX up 1.4%. Lithium stocks slightly firmer. VUL up 3.1%.  Oil and gas stocks rose, uranium stocks glowed hotter, PDN up 1.4% and BMN up 4.6%.

In corporate news, TWE fell 5.2% after a disappointing result and a cut of the dividend. JBH rose 7.5% on a beat. ASB jumped 19.5% after a disastrous day Friday, QUB rose 3.3% after Macquarie went binding on its takeover at 520c. A2M creamed it up 6.8% after a better second half and ANN bounced 3.8% on cost cutting effort paying off.

Nothing on the economic front.

US Futures up slightly in birthday celebrations.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: CU6, ASB, EQR, WTC, CUV, ALK, SEK
  • Losers: CRN, TWE, FMG, DVP, NMG, EQT
  • Positive Sectors: Tech. Gold. Healthcare. REITs.
  • Negative Sectors: Iron ore.
  • ASX 200 Hi 8953 Lo 8915. Narrow range.
  • Big Bank Basket: Rises to $3034.06 (+0.1%).
  • All-Tech Index: Up 4.0% ASX IT up 5.7%
  • Gold: Steady at $7036
  • Bitcoin: Steady at US$68842
  • AUD: Steady at 70.86c.
  • Asian markets – Japan up 0.2% China and HK closed.
  • US futures slightly firmer.

MARKET MOVERS

  • CU6 +24.8% Co-PSMA abstract released.
  • ASB +19.5% Friday forgotten.
  • EQR +14.6% Tungsten back again.
  • WTC +12.9% tech bounce.
  • EOS +7.5% tech bounce.
  • GMD +7.4% MAU acquisition.
  • MAU +25.6% GMD bid.
  • BOC +15.3% copper punters back.
  • TWE -5.2% cancelled dividend.
  • CRN -5.9% business update.
  • AD8 -10.3% results disappoint.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: EDE +36.8% again – Debt free and poised for growth?

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • US Markets closed tonight for Washington’s Birthday.
  • China closed for Lunar New Year all week.
  • Japan’s economy avoided a technical recession just, it’s economy grew 0.1%, both on a quarter-on-quarter and a year-on-year basis. While it was a reversal of the 0.7% contraction in the third quarter, the gross domestic product missed expectations of a 0.4% expansion by economists.
  • On an annualised basis, output rose 0.2%, compared with forecasts of 1.6%, following a 2.3% decline in the previous quarter.
  • OpenAI hires OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger.
  • Intermittent fasting no better than dieting, study finds.

And finally….

I’m starting a company where you can rent hunting dogs. It’s called, We Lease The Hounds.

I just read a very long article on Japanese sword fighting.

Allow me to Samurais it for you

Clarence

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