End of Day Report – Monday 8 December: ASX 200 falls 10, quiet day | RBA tomorrow

The ASX 200 slipped 10 points in quiet trade to 8624 (0.1%). Banks eased slightly with ANZ and NAB down around 0.7%. The Big Bank Basket up to $269.33 (0.3%). Other financials and insurers were firm, QBE up 1.1% and ZIP doing well, up 5.7%. Industrials wafted around, retailers fell with JBH and WES showing modest losses. REITs were slightly better, led by GMG and TLS had a good day as did REA. Technology stocks were mixed, WTC up 0.8% and XRO continuing to fall, off another 0.6%. The All-Tech Index rising 0.1%.

In the miners, iron ore majors came under a little pressure, with RIO off 0.9%. Gold miners too were under some pressure as bullion drifted lower, NST down 1.4% and EVN off 2.1%. Lithium stocks were on a roll. PLS up 6.1% and LTR blasting 14.8% ahead on UBS upgrades and short covering. Uranium stocks down, modest losses only. BOE the exception falling 4.5%.

In corporate news, NSR got an agreed bid from Brookfield-GIC at 286c. S&P have downgraded their credit outlook for ASX Ltd to “negative” from “stable”. TNE have backed the new CFO following his time with CTD.

On the economic front, RBA meeting tomorrow, and almost a shoe-in for no change to rates. The AUD is trading at a 3-month high.

Meanwhile in Asia, Japan up 0.5%, HK down 1.0% and China up 0.7%.

10-year yields steady at 4.70%.

US Futures – DJ up 18 points and Nasdaq up 66.

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