End of Day Report – Friday 21 August: ASX 200 drops 25 - Results dominate - ZIP comes undone - GQG changes tack - EQT gets another bid

The ASX 200 ended a long week of results down 25 points at 9,059, or 0.3%. The index down 0.7% this week. It has been a long week for the market, and some of the gains from previous sessions were reversed today. The banking sector found its feet, with the Big Bank Basket rising to $267.12 (0.5%), led by CBA, up 1.0%. Insurers also bounced following yesterday's drubbing, with QBE up 2.9%, SUN up 1.1%, and MPL also having a good day, up 5.1%. Industrials were generally weaker across the board, with WES down 2.3%, JBH falling 1.4%, and QAN also under pressure, down 1.2%. The supermarkets drifted lower too. Healthcare came under pressure, with CSL falling 1.7% and PME also down 7.0%. Technology stocks gave back some of their gains from previous sessions, with XRO down 0.3% and WTC falling 2.0%. MP1 continued to flop following its capital raise, while NXT also slipped slightly.Resources were mixed, with BHP down 0.9%, while RIO headed in the opposite direction, rising 1.4%. Gold miners regained their footing and pushed a little higher, with GMD up 3.9% and RMS posting a modest gain. PLS also had a good day, up 5.0%, while MIN, IGO and LTR all performed well. Coal and uranium stocks were slightly firmer, while the oil and gas sector was somewhat mixed.In corporate news, GYG delivered better-than-expected results, rallying 11.4%, while TPG also performed well following its results. On the M&A front, EQT rose 9.3% on the back of a rival bid from BGH Capital, while it looks like the SDF deal has been signed, with the stock in suspension until next week. Some notable fallers on corporate news included ING, DGT and CHC, all of which came under pressure following their results.Nothing of note on the local economic front today. Asian markets were mixed, with Japan down 0.5%, Hong Kong up 0.7%, China up 0.6%, and US futures were narrowly firmer, with the Dow up 22 points and the Nasdaq up 48. European markets poised to open better. Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights Marcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise. If you'd like to go further: Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcast Join Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offer MT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcast Principles – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast — Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.