ASX 200 limped to a 3-point gain to 7091 (0.04%) ahead of US CPI. Six sessions in a row. Just. CSL was the biggest drag on the index as positive drug trials in US marred outlook for medical companies. The stock fell 6,3%, RMD down 5.3% on same effect. Banks once again did the lifting with CBA up 1.0% and NAB up 0.9% as the Big Bank Basket rose to $176.90(+1.0%). Insurers better and even MQG rose 0.4%. REITS did well as yields continued to fall, GMG up 1.5% and SCG up 1.2%. Industrials had modest gains, WES up 0.6%, TLS eased 0.3% and TAH dropped 6.2% on a soft trading outlook statement. Tech stocks slightly mixed, WTC down 0.5%, XRO up 1% and the All-Tech Index up 1.0%. Mining stocks better again. Gold stocks are higher with NCM leading the charge up 2.1% as Newmont deal nears conclusion. NST up 0.8% and lithium back in demand, PLS up 4.2% and AKE up 2.8%. LTR dropped 1.7% as Albemarle only granted 7 days for more DD. Oil and coal stocks eased. Big iron ore firmed as Chinese markets saw support. In corporate news, FOR rallied % on announcement it may delist, RBL rallied 9.0% on its trading update. Nothing substantial on economic front, APRA suggested that the banks’ stress test were not showing any issues. CBA forecast a November RBA has a 40% chance of another rate rise. Asian markets perked up, China up 1%, HK up 1.9% and Japan up 1.6%. 10-year yields fall again to 4.36%.

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