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ASX 200 down 18 points in lacklustre trade closing at 7512 (-0.24%). Once again resource stocks weighed with BHP down 1.0% and RIO down 0.5%. Gold miners under pressure as bullion fell, NCM down 2.9% and NST off 5.3%. Banks were firm with MQG updating the market and pushing 4.7% higher.

Elsewhere insurers eased and other financials led down by a 2.1% fall in ASX. Healthcare stocks eased except CSL with RHC down 1.6%, COH deaf to the bulls down 1.8% and FPH falling 2.2%. 

Industrials a little soggy and Tech off slightly with the All-Tech Index down 0.8% as APT fell 1.6%. In corporate news, plenty of begging bowls out for more cash, ABB returned after a $120m raised in a canter, rising 3.7%. Plenty of mining minnows also mopping up surplus shareholder funds.

European futures pointing to a weaker open.