The ASX 200 trod water rising 4 points to 8559 as CPI numbers came in below forecast. Narrow trading range. Banks were firm again, CBA up another 1.7% with the Big Bank Basket at $295.09 (+1.5%). Financials also doing well, GQG up 9.1% and XYZ up 1.0% with REITs better on rate cut hopes. GMG up 0.4% and CHC rising 1.2%. Industrials were mixed, retail better on rates, LOV up 1.9% and NCK rallying 3.3%. Travel stocks better too, CTD up 2.2% with LNW soaring as ALL fell 0.9%. SGH continue to push to new highs, QAN up 0.8% with VGN up 3.4% on day two.

Resources were once again under pressure. The big three are getting smaller, BHP down 1.0% and FMG off 2.3%. Lithium stocks fell, MIN off 6.0% and PLS falling 3.1%. Gold miners too slipping again as bullion eases back. NST down 2.6% and GMD down 4.0%. Oil and gas stocks continue to suffer despite crude finding buyers, STO down another 1.2% with uranium steady and coal down, WHC off 2.2%.

In corporate news, HUM got a NBIO from its chair, DRO soared 19.9% on a new EU contract, PNI down 3.7% as founder sold a parcel, PBH shareholders turned Japanese, SGR got shareholder approval for Bally and Mathieson to take the stakes. XRO in a trading halt with big capital raising and US acquisition worth $4bn.

On the economic front, the local monthly CPI came in below forecasts and rate cut hopes emerged. 

Asian markets better Japan up 0.3%, China up 0.6% and HK up 0.8%. 10-year yields falling to 4.12%.

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