The ASX 200 dropped 86 points to 8926 (-1.0%) as inflation came in hotter than expected and snuffed out any rate cut hopes for next week. The banks bore the brunt, CBA down 2.1% and WBC falling 3.1% with the Big Bank Basket falling to $289.08 (-2.1%). Insurers fell, QBE down 1.6% and SUN off 2.0%. Other interest rate stocks fell, TCL down 1.9% and REITs under pressure, GMG down 1.4% and SGP off 3.9%. Industrials eased back, WES dropped 1.7% and ALL off 1.6% with WOW up 2.4% as COL fell 1.9%. CSL continued to decline down 4.0% and XRO falling 2.0% with the All-Tech Index off 1.4%. In resources, iron ore rallied, BHP up 1.3% and FMG up 1.0% and the gold sector doing much better, EVN up 2.4% and NST up 2.4%. Rare earths still under some pressure, ARU off 20.0% as the capital raise weighed, lithium stocks trying to push higher, PLS up 1.6% and the uranium sector soaring on a Cameco deal in the US and BOE jumped 19.8% on quarterly numbers, PDN up 11.3% and oil and gas flat.

In corporate news, NCK gained 12.7% on strong Q1 ANZ sales. WOW up 2.4% on quarterly sales, SDR rose 2.5% on a trading update. On the economic front, underlying inflation came in stronger than expected at 3%. Rate cuts are off for 2025. Trimmed mean of 1% QoQ. Well above the forecast 0.6%.

Asian markets generally firm, Nikkei 225 up 1.9%, HK up 0.1% and China up 0.4%. 

10-year yields 4.23%. US Futures mixed. 

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