End of Day Report – Monday 25 August: ASX 200 up 5 | Early rally fades as banks stumble

The ASX 200 jumped early, then fell back to close up only 5 points at 8972 as the great rotation continues. Unleash the resource bulls! Banks and industrials sold off as commodity stocks rallied hard.The Big Bank Basket fell to $283.70 (-1.5%) with insurers also under siege on rate-cut hopes, QBE down 2.1% and SUN off 2.9%. REITs picked up the slack, pushing ahead, GPT up 1.1% and CHC up 1.6%. Financials were also better, AMP up 1.4% and ZIP basking in a warm embrace from broker calls, rallying another 7.5%.Defensives in consumer land slid, WES down 2.6% with WOW off 1.5% and COL down 0.6%. CPU fell 5.2% on lower rates, and QAN came in for a landing, down 1.3%. Tech also came under a little pressure, XRO continues to slide lower after the U.S. acquisition and cap raise. Retail and travel stocks were slightly better on rate-cut news — TPW rallied 5.4%, and LOV was up 2.9%. GYG found some support, up 7.8%, and FLT rose 1.1%.In resources, the big iron ore miners had a strong day, BHP, RIO, and FMG all up around 2.6%. Lithium stocks were better — PLS results today were cheered, with the stock rising 2.4%. IGO up 3.7%, and LTR rallying 4.2%. Gold miners were firm, EVN up 3.5% and NST up 2.8%, with copper stocks also in demand, SFR up 5.3%. Uranium stocks are finding new friends, PDN up 5.3% and NXG rising 5.3%.In corporate news, REH got smashed 16.4% by the Victorian economy, ABB beat forecasts and is going “buddyless.” BEN delivered an FY loss but rallied 1.1%, with STO extending the ADNOC deadline by a month. NHF rose 2.7% on better-than-expected results. ANN bounced 10.3% on upgraded guidance, and SXL surged 26.5% after a good set of numbers.Nothing much on the economic front.Asian markets up again, Japan up 0.4%, HK up 1.8% and China up 1.1%European markets opening flat. US Dow futures down 28 Nasdaq down 9. UK markets closed for bank holiday.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.