End of Day Report – Monday 2 June: ASX 200 falls 21 | SOL/BKW merger sees huge gains for both

ASX 200 fell 21 points in quiet trade to 8415 (0.1%). Most sectors showing losses as nerves crept back in on Trump and Chinese negotiations. Banks slipped with WBC off 1.2% and the Big Bank Basket down to $275.32 (-0.1%). MQG fell 1.0% with insurers better, QBE up 1.3% and MPL rising 2.1%. REITs slid, GMD down 0.9% and VCX off 0.4%. Industrials were mostly flat, WOW and COL better, WES up 0.5% and SGH doing well, up 0.7% with BXB rallying 1.0%. TLS continued to push higher, tech was mixed as WTC fell 2.3% and XRO rose 1.5% with the All-Tech Index down 0.5%.  Healthcare under a little pressure, SIG off 3.2% following the sell-down last week. In resources, iron ore down in Singapore, BHP off 1.2% and FMG sliding 2.5%. Lithium stocks under pressure following the UBS downgrade last week, MIN off 11.8% and PLS falling 8.1%. Gold miners were better as bullion pushed higher on steel tariff issues, EVN up 3.1% and NEM up 1.2%. Oil and gas stocks eased slightly and uranium stocks fell. In corporate news, SOL announced a merger with BKW to create a new $15bn top 50 stock. Both stocks rallied hard on the news, a $500m zero discount capital raising also helped sentiment. BSL jumped 4.4% on US tariff moves, APE extended the buyback, JHX rose 1.4% on securing a new debt facility. Nothing on the economic front locally, China and US ratchet up war of words. Asian markets fell, Japan down 1.3%, HK off 1.9% and China down 0.5%. 10-year yields steady at 4.26%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you’re looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.