ASX 200 gave back early gains to close up 1 points at 8484 as falls in CSL post results, took its toll. CSL down after analyst briefing and US flu shots underwhelming. Banks held firm although CBA down % ahead of numbers tomorrow. WBC up % and ANZ up % with the Big Bank Basket at $267.86 (-0.2%). MQG reported 9-month numbers. Nothing much to get excited about but it tried to rally up 1.6% with other financials doing well. HUB up 1.4% and NWL up 2.7%.  Insurers too better, SUN up 0.6%. REITs firmed with results from CQE up 8.5%. Industrials also in demand, ALL up another 1.7% with JBH up 2.0% on broker comments. SGH rose 6.1% on Boral lift, REA continue to push higher, with WTC under pressure still as the All-Tech Index rose 0.9%. Resources were mixed. Lithium nixed by the reopening of low-grade production in China, PLS off 3.6% and MIN down 6.9%. Gold miners were better with bullion at records still. NST up 4.0% and NEM up 3.2% with iron ore stocks drifting mainly lower. Energy stocks mixed, uranium stocks relatively firm. In corporate news, BRG lost 2.2% on results. RHC was 1.4% better despite a $305m hit to the balance sheet. On the economic front, The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose just 0.1% in February to 92.2, up from 92.1 in January. Asian markets flat with China down 0.3% and HK off 0.2%. Japan closed. Another holiday. 10-year yields steady at 4.39%.

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