End of Day Report – Thursday 24 July: ASX 200 down 28 points | MQG drops 5%, FMG up 4.3%

The ASX 200 drifted 28 points lower to 8709 (-0.3%) as Michele Bullock’s lunch time speech partly dashed rate cut hopes for August. Banks flat with CBA unchanged and the Big Bank Basket at $274.86 (+0.2%). MQG had a nasty day as its AGM saw selling down 5.1% as the CFO retired and earnings softened. Other financials also under a little pressure, CGF down 2.9% and QBE off 1.2%. ZIP had a good day up 4.7%. REITs slid on higher rates, GMG down 0.8% and GPT off 1.2%. Industrials pretty flat too. Tech eased back, XRO down 1.2% and TNE off 2.3%. CPU dropped 3.3% with BXB falling 1.5%. TLS also slipping away with healthcare stocks remaining firm, CSL up 1.5% again.Resources mixed, LYC up 5.0% on a JV as MIN gained 4.7% on lithium buying and LTR turned from early losses to close up 3.2%. FMG production numbers were solid, pulling out of hydrogen also a positive up 4.3%. Gold miners lid, NST down 2.4% and EVN off 2.7%. Uranium mixed, BOE fell 6.4% on resignation of CEO, PDN recovered slightly. Coal saw sellers back.In corporate news, BAP was punished for a triple whammy of director resignations, bad debts and earnings downgrade, finishing down 28.4%. DRO fell 5.9% after another order win, CMM off 3.4% as it bid for WA8. In economic news, Bullock’s speech trimmed rate cut hopes. Asian markets solid. Japan up 1.9% on trade deal relief. HK up 0.4%. China up 0.4%. 10-year yields up to 4.37%. US futures mixed.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.