The ASX 200 eased back another 10 points to 8631 (0.1%), capping off a miserable week at the index level. The index fell 1.3% this Budget week, mainly as banks crashed with CBA in focus. Banks made up some lost ground after significant falls this week, with CBA up 1.9%, ANZ up 1.1%, and the Big Bank Basket rising to $266.97 (1.4%). Insurers had a good day, with QBE rising 1.9% and SUN also doing well. REITs strengthened, with VCX up 1.6% and GPT also leading the charge. Industrials were firm too, with stocks like SHG, REH, and WOR all posting solid gains today. Even the supermarkets WOW and COL were firmer despite recent court woes.

Healthcare edged higher, with RMD up 1.2% and CSL finding some friends, up 0.7% , but the real stars of the show today were, surprisingly, the tech space, with XRO bouncing 8.1% following yesterday’s results and WTC also having a strong day, with the All-Tech Index bouncing 2.3%.

Whilst banks, industrials, and technology stocks were firm, resources were well and truly on the nose today as inflation continues to plague the market, or at least traders’ thoughts. Copper and gold both eased back, with BHP down 2.6% and RIO falling 3.2%. The gold stocks were also under pressure, with NEM falling hard, as did EVN, down 5.5%. Lithium stocks also took a breather, and news that Chris Ellison had sold part of his holding in MIN also weighed on the sector, down 7.7%. The oil price continues to bubble higher, with no resolution, it seems, on the blockade in the Gulf. WGS did well, up 2.1%, and STO also had a blinder today, rising 2.7%. In corporate news, EOS shot the lights out as it prepares to take control of MARSS Defence Technology in the coming days, while also securing a $165 million order from an existing Middle Eastern customer. TWE added 1.9% after French billionaire Olivier Goudet lifted his stake in the company.

Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets drop hard, Japan down 2.1%, HK off 1.6%, China down 0.8%, Kospi off 6%.

US futures lower with Dow down 184, Nasdaq down 367. European futures opening around 1% lower.

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