The ASX 200 closed down 44 pts at 8,797 as US futures weakened and Asian technology stocks were hit hard. Down 10pts for the week. Our market saw both the banks and resources come under pressure. The banks gave up ground, with CBA down 0.8% and WBC falling 0.2%. The Big Bank Basket fell to $284.25 (-0.5%) with a late rally helping. Insurers, however, held their ground, while other financials also performed reasonably well, with AMP rising for the second day in a row.
Elsewhere, defensives in the industrial sector held firm, with TLS up 2.7% despite CEO Vicki Brady facing lawmakers in Canberra. WES also gained 0.9%, while in healthcare CSL edged higher and RMD rose 1.5%.
Technology stocks were mixed. XRO gained 0.9% and WTC was little changed, but the data centre sector remained under pressure, with NXT falling another X%. MP1 had another horrible session, down 8.5%, while AI-related stocks were sold heavily. EIQ fell 5.7% and WBT tumbled nearly 10.5%. In fact, anything with a Vegas AI connection was under pressure today. Resources were once again the weak link. BHP continued to slide following its quarterly result, falling 2.7%. RIO also eased 2.4%, while FMG held up, but only just. Lithium stocks were once again under pressure, with PLS down 3.1% and MIN falling 2.6%. Gold miners also suffered despite bullion prices rising in Asian trade, with NST and EVN both down over 4%. Oil and gas stocks bucked the trend, with WDS up 3.3% and STO gaining 1.9%, although coal stocks failed to fire.
There was little of note on the corporate front. ZIP fell 5.1% after announcing it would exit its New Zealand business. PRU delivered a stronger-than-expected quarterly update. SKC climbed after announcing the sale of investment properties in Auckland. COL walked away from its proposed acquisition of Greencross from TPG Capital, while RRL fell 8.4% after issuing a softer FY27 outlook.
In economic news, Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis warned that the current AI boom could face a correction if commercial returns fail to justify the lofty valuations.
Asian markets were slammed, Nikkei 225 down 4.6%, HK down 2.3% and China down 3.9% - Korea closed for a holiday.
US futures down - Dow down 403 and Nasdaq down 465. Oil up 0.9%. European markets set to fall 1%
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