The ASX 200 closed up 2 points to 8636 in a quiet session ahead of a big week in the US. Good comeback after a near 50 point fall this morning.  Some signs of confidence returning with banks seeing a resumption of the sell CBA, buy the other three switch. The Big Bank Basket fell to $272.47 (-0.4%) as CBA dropped 1.0%. MQG ex-dividend today, down 2.3% with financials slightly firmer, QBE up 0.5% and HUB up 2.7% with NWL gaining. REITs firmed, GMG up 0.5% and CHC up 1.7% with industrials finding their feet, LNW up 3.3% with WTC up 1.2% although XRO fell another 0.1%. Retailers firmed, UNI up 1.7% and PMV up 2.1% with DMP gaining another 5.1%. GYG continue to fall, down 1.8%. Healthcare eased back, RMD under pressure off 2.1%, CSL down 0.8% and SHL slipping 1.5%. Resources were mixed, BHP fell 0.6% on the UK court ruling, RIO and FMG both better on higher iron ore prices in Asia, lithium staged a comeback, PLS up 3.7% and IGO rising 0.9%. LYC also bounced 5.5% with gold miners mixed. No significant damage done. GMD up 2.5% on a broker upgrade. Energy stocks all better, WDS up 0.9% and ALD rising 3.8%. IPX fell 3.0% after a return to trade following a report from Spruce Capital.

PME jumped 4.2% on another $44m deal with Advanced Radiology. Some management changes, RHC rose 1.8% on a new CFO, MSB rallied 5.0% on a new CFO too with FPR better on an acquisition. ELD gained 6.3% on better than expected results.

Nothing locally on the economic front. RBA board member wrote a column on the RBA mandate. In Japan, GDP came in better than expected.

Asian markets weaker with Japan down 0.4%, China down 0.4% and HK off 0.6%.

European markets set to open slightly weaker.

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