End of Day Report – Thursday 7 August: ASX 200 falls 12 points | Gold miners up, financials down

ASX 200 fell slightly off record highs to 8831 off 12 (0.2%).  A mixed session with banks slipping a little, CBA down 0.5% and the Big Bank Basket at $281.90 (). Financials dragged lower, MQG down 0.8% and ASX falling hard, off 8.6%, on cost blow outs on CHESS and other issues, AMP rose 4.8% after a broker call rethink on results. REITs firm, SCG up 0.8% and SGP up 0.9% with industrials mixed, BXB down 3.3% and QAN off 1.1% as retail stocks firmed, JBH up 1.8% and ALL up 1.5%. Travel stocks better, FLT up 3.1% and WEB rising 2.3%. LNW fell 2.0% on plans to end Nasdaq listing. Tech better, WTC up 0.9% and TNE pushing on another 0.8%. Resources were a mixed lolly bag, iron ore weaker, gold miners better on a post Diggers glow. NST up 1.5% and NEM up 1.0% with WGX raising guidance and rising 5.1%. Lithium major PLS up 3.8% with LTR in a halt as it raises around $266m at 73c. Rare earth stocks still in demand. Oil and gas, becalmed, uranium stocks firmed with BOE starting to recover. PDN up 3.4% and coal stocks moving higher. In corporate news, the government has invested $50m in LTR, NEU hitting highs on Daybue sales in the US. On the economic front, reciprocal tariffs are now in. Local BoP figures showed a rebound to a $5.4bn surplus on stronger coal and gold exports. Asian markets firmed, Japan up 0.6%, HK up 0.6% and China unchanged. 10-year yields steady at 4.24%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.