End of Day Report – Monday 12 May: ASX 200 up a mere 2 points | US Futures in demand

Market Updates

ASX 200 kicks higher, just up 2 points to 8234 (+0.0%) after losing momentum as the day wore on. US futures are up strongly on hoped-for details on US/China trade negotiations. Dow futures up 1.1%, Nasdaq futures up 2.1%. Gold fell, miners under pressure with GMD down 5.7% and EVN off 3.7%. Base metals and lithium stocks are better, MIN up 8.3% and LTR roaring ahead, up 12.6%. S32 is also having a good day on CEO retirement. The stars were for iron ore stocks on China hopes, BHP up 2.3% and RIO up 2.1%, with FMG only managing half that rise. Oil and gas stocks were also better, with WDS up 2.0% and KAR up 5.1%. Uranium stocks also firmed again. Banks were flat as NAB went Ex-dividend. Down 2.3% and the other three mixed. The Big Bank Basket is down to $263.16 (-0.2%). MQG rose 2.1% as its run continued, GQG had a great day up 8.0%, and REITs were a little underwhelming. GMG rose 1.6% on a broker upgrade. Industrials mixed, WOW fell 1.5% after announcing price cuts. Drug companies fell on news that Trump was going to cut drug prices in the US.

In corporate news, DNL rose 2.0% as it sold the fertiliser distribution business to RIC. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets were firm again. Japan up 0.3%, HK up 1.4%. 10-year yields rose to 4.37%.

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