End of Day Report – Thursday 22 January: ASX 200 rallies 66 despite jobs number | Gold drops, banks run

The ASX 200 rallied 66 points to 8849 (0.8%) on Greenland relief despite firmer than expected jobs data putting a Feb rate rise on the table. The reverse of yesterday’s moves as banks and industrials bounced back with resources sold off. Some disappointing quarterlies in the gold sector plus some overbought saw profit taking. Bullion prices also eased on the TACO man’s latest back flip with pike. Banks were firm, CBA up % and WBC rising % with the Big Bank Basket up to $268.35 (+2.2%). MQG had a good day and other financials also doing well, GDG the exception on quarterly FUM numbers. REITs also doing well despite the unemployment number coming in at 4.1% and the AUD rallying hard. 10-year yields back up to 4.80%. Industrials firmed, retail bounced, WES up 2.5% and CSL rose 1.3% with RMD up 1.9%. Tech still a troubled sector, WTC dropped 0.5% and XRO down 1.2%. The All-Tech Index up 0.6%.

In resources, it was reverse all engines. BHP down 0.8% and FMG dropping 5.1% on production disappointment. The gold miners were savaged today, yesterday they were all the rage. EVN gave 4.6% back and NST had another bad quarterly and downgrade leading to a fiery analyst briefing. Off 8.4%. Oil and gas better as was lithium and rare earths. Uranium stocks eked out gains, PDN managed to hold on to gains. Oil and gas stocks better on crude and natural gas pricing. STO up 5.3% on first shipments from Barossa and WDS up 2.9%.

In corporate news, S32 maintained its guidance, rising 5.3%, NWL down 3.8% despite second consecutive quarter of FUA growth. DYL up 0.9% on a Tumas update.

On the economic front, the jobless rate dropped to 4.1% setting up a rate rise in Feb. Every man and his economist now jumping on the rate rise bandwagon. None got the jobless rate even close. 

Asian markets mixed, Japan up 2%, China down 0.5% and HK unchanged. Korea hit a record. 

Dow futures up 104, Nasdaq futures up 75 - 10-year yields higher at 4.80%.  AUD cracks 68c.

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