End of Day Report – Thursday 11 December: ASX 200 up 13 as jobs and futures weigh | Resources continue to shine

The ASX 200 started in fine form after the Fed rate cut, but finished up only 13 points to 8592 (0.2%) as enthusiasm waned after the jobs data and US futures losses. A mixed picture across the market, CBA fell 0.7% as the other three rose, the Big Bank Basket unchanged at $267.77. MQG bounced 1.4% and other financials mixed. Healthcare stumbled into casualty, CSL dropped 1.6%, RMD down 2.3% and TLX dropped 2.1%. Retails also under pressure again, JBH off 1.5% and APE dipping 3.9%. PMV fell hard too off 5.2%. Tech remained under a cloud, WTC down 2.2% and XRO falling another 1.3% with 360 off 2.2%. The All-Tech Index fell another 1.4%. REITs made up some lost ground as bond yields fell on jobs data.

In resources, iron ore miners pushed higher, FMG up 0.4% and RIO up 1.8%, with BHP up 1.3%. Gold miners were mixed, RMS rose 6.7% on broker comments, NEM also doing well, up 2.1%. Lithium stocks, a little depressed, and rare earths under pressure again. LYC down 0.9% and ARU off 8.2% as a large block trade went through the market. Uranium stocks slightly positive.

In corporate news, IAG fell 1.2% after the ACCC knocked back its RAC QLD acquisition. AMP settled a class action and rose 1.1% with ORG up 0.4% on further expansion at Eraring. On the economic front, the jobs data came in below expectations although the headline rate at 4.3% remained unchanged.

Meanwhile in Asia, Japan down 0.8%, HK flat and China down 0.6%. 10-year yields dropped to 4.72%. Nasdaq futures down 1.2%. Dow down 0.5% on Oracle. European markets set to open weaker.

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