The ASX 200 gave back 71 points to 8,968 (-0.8%) as profit-taking set in across the board. Banks were mixed, with CBA and ANZ down slightly, while NAB and WBC edged higher. MQG, though, fell 1.5% after US investment banks weakened overnight, and financials generally were softer, with QBE down 0.9% and IFT off 1.7%. REITs also came under pressure, with SCG down 1.3% and VCX falling 1.5%.
In the industrials, we saw some selling after the strong gains of recent days, with WES down 1.5%, JBH off 1.6%, and TLS falling 0.6%. Healthcare stocks also gave back a little ground, with CSL down 0.1% and SIG easing 0.7%. Tech stocks, however, were slightly firmer, with XRO up 1.4% and WTC rallying 6.7%. Other industrials also slipped, with QAN down 3.0% and SGH off 2.5%.
Meanwhile, in resources, BHP fell 1.7%, and FMG was weaker, although RIO rose 1.8% following positive broker comments after yesterday's result. Gold stocks eased on interest rate concerns, with NST down 3.3% and NEM off 1.8%. Some buying emerged in lithium stocks, with PLS up 2.7% and MIN rising 3.9% following better-than-expected results. Oil and gas stocks were steady, while uranium stocks eased slightly.
In corporate news, DMP beat expectations slightly and shorts rushed to cover, up 9.1%. BOE fell 2.5% despite meeting production guidance. ALD rose 0.2% after announcing better-than-expected earnings from its refinery, while VNT slipped 2.9% following the appointment of a new director. In economic news, building approvals rose 7.2% to 18,328, while the value of total residential building work increased 15.1%.
Asian markets were mixed, with the Nikkei 225 up 0.2%, Hong Kong down 0.4%, China off 2.1%, and Korea down 0.9%. US futures were slightly firmer, in line with fair value, with the Dow up 74 points and the Nasdaq up 105 points. European markets are set to open lower.
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