ASX 200 closed down 118 points to 7091 (-1.6%), plunging at 11:30 on the CPI release, which came in hotter than expected, and Chinese PMI numbers which continue to show an economy that has peaked and slowed. Energy the worst-performing sector today; markets remain divided and uncertain on whether OPEC+ will cut production at the upcoming meeting, with WDS down 2.3%, STO down 2.7%, and BPT sliding 2.5%. Resources and base metals no better as oil comes under pressure following the weaker-than-expected data from China, BHP -3.4%, RIO -2.1% and FMG down 3.0%. Gold miners are in positive territory today on safe-haven buying, NST +1.7% and AGG gaining 2.7%. Financials weighed, with the Big Bank Basket down to $166.35 (-2.3%), BOQ took a beating down 5.4% after accepting an enforceable undertaking from both AUSTRAC and APRA, while the big four banks are all down over 2%. REITS falling in tandem with bond yields. Interest rate-sensitive tech stumbled lower, with the All-Tech Index falling 0.5%, SQ2 -1.8%, NXT -1.0% and CPU off 1.3%. Industrials were broadly down, and Healthcare eased, RMD down 2.3% and RHC off 1.7%.
In corporate news, QAN continues to fly, up 0.9% as the market continues to digest an upbeat investor day. SLR -1.9% provided St Barbara with a revised non-binding indicative offer, and 360 +1.0% on positive Q1 results at their AGM.
In economic news, Australian inflation rose to 6.8% YoY in April up from 6.3% in March, significantly exceeding expectations of 6.4%. China’s PMI showed further deterioration in manufacturing activity, coming in at 48.8 below the consensus of 49.5 and 49.2 the previous month, commodity prices coming under pressure. Asian markets down, Japan down 1.3% and HK off 2.4% with China sliding 0.6%. Australia 10Y yield down to 3.59%. Bitcoin set for first monthly drop in 2023 down 1.66%. Dow Jones futures down 121 points and Nasdaq futures down 44 points.
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