End of Day Report – Tuesday 9 December: ASX 200 drops 39 points | RBA keeps rates on hold

The ASX 200 fell 39 points to 8586 (0.5%) after the RBA kept rates on hold as forecast. The index was down a similar amount before the 2.30pm announcement. Banks drifted lower, CBA down 0.6% and WBC off 0.6% with insurers staging a modest recovery, QBE up 1.2% and MPL rising 2.7%. MQG dropped another 0.9% with PNI falling 1.1%. REITs mixed, GMG down % with the rest of the sector better. Healthcare eased, CSL down 2.0% and RMD falling 2.3%. Retail stocks fell on the rates news, JBH off 1.9% and APE dropping 2.2% as SUL fell in sympathy with BAP, down 21.3% on another nasty trading update. Telcos slid lower, TLS down 0.6% and TPG with some issues fell 1.6%. Tech once again on the nose, XRO off 0.7% and TNE down 1.6% with 360 falling hard.In resources, iron ore stocks firmed, FMG up 1.7% and RIO flat. Gold miners drifted lower, PRU off 1.5% and NST falling %. Oil and gas stocks eased, uranium mixed, PDN and DYL to the good, LOT down to the bad. Lithium stocks holding, up but rare earths sliding back to earth.In corporate news, LTR dropped 2.3% on a new offtake deal, WAF fell 0.7% on drilling results.On the economic front, the RBA left rates unchanged. The board does not seem to be in a hurry to raise them either.Meanwhile in Asia, Japan up 0.2%, HK down 0.8% and China down 0.1%.10-year yields higher at 4.75%.US Futures – DJ up 9 points and Nasdaq up 10.Want to invest with Marcus Today? Our MT20 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.