End of Day Report – Friday 22 August: ASX 200 drops 52 | Results disappoint

The ASX 200 back below 9000 to 8967, down 52 points (0.6%) as results weighed after a long week. Banks remained firm with WBC up 0.7% and NAB slightly firmer, the Big Bank Basket drifting to $288.16 (-0.2%). Other financials also drifted lower, GQG fell 3.0% after early gains. Insurers firmed, ASX fell 2.1%, and ZIP soared 20.2% on better results. REITs were under pressure as GMG fell 4.8% on broker comments, SGP and CHC both better. Industrials slid, BXB saw some profit-taking, QAN dropped 2.1%, and ALL off 1.7%.

Retail stocks also eased back, PMV down 4.0% and JBH falling 1.6%. GYG collapsed 18.2% after the results and a trading update. CTD in a trading halt awaiting some material news. Tech stocks eased back too, WTC down 1.8% and XRO continuing to fade. Down 0.6%. The All-Tech Index up 0.2%. WOW and COL under pressure. CSL resumed the downward momentum, off 4.2% as TLX trundled higher.

In resources, BHP slightly lower, RIO fell 1.1%, and gold miners were mixed. WAF up 3.3% and VAU up again post results. Lithium stocks fell, PLS down 4.5% and MIN off 3.2%. Uranium stocks better, PDN up 4.3% and DYL rising 3.8%. Oil and gas firmed, coal stocks eased.

In corporate news, ING dropped 20.3% as Woolies contract took its toll, HLS rallied 18.6% after results, AX1 dived 17.8% on disappointing sales growth, MVF fell 13.7% on disappointing profits and outlook.

Nothing much on the economic front.

Asian markets mixed again, Japan flat, China up 1.7% and HK up 0.5%

European markets opening flat. US Dow futures down 18 Nasdaq down 32.

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