The ASX 200 slipped another 24 pts to 8687 (0.3%) as CPI beat expectations. Banks eased back again, the Big Bank Basket fell to $286.25 (-1.1%) with CBA off 1.4% and WBC falling 1.0%. Financials mixed, CGF 1.0% better, MFG finding friends and ZIP up 0.8%. Insurers firmed on bond yields, QBE up 0.5% and MPL up 1.5%. Industrials mixed again, CSL falling around 2.4% and COH dropping 3.2%. TLS fell 0.4%, WOW and COL eased back and SEK dropped 3.0%. Tech stocks were mixed, 360 up 0.9% and WTC falling 2.2%. The All-Tech Index down 0.2%.

In resources, BHP and RIO eased back, rare earths and lithium stocks remain in demand, LYC jumped 5.2% with LTR roaring ahead, up 2.5%. Plenty f quarterlies around too, gold miners mixed, VAU up 1.5% and NEM down 3.2%. Oil and gas stocks better, WDS up 2.0% and STO up 0.4%. Coal stocks pushed back up, NHC up 3.4% but uranium stocks decayed, PDN off 1.2% and DYL down 2.2%.

In corporate news, CDA soared 15.5% on a better-than-expected update, GEM was smashed 31.3% after it suspended operations at around 40 centres. OML jumped 33.0% on a Private Equity NBIO at 140c.

On the economic front, headline inflation picked up to 1.1% in March from a steady reading in February, pushing the consumer price index to 4.6% on an annual basis. RBA meeting next week.

Asian markets firmed, Japan closed for another holiday. China up 0.6% and HK up 1.4%.

US Futures better, Nasdaq up 118. Dow up 75. Europe expected to open slightly higher. Fed meeting in focus. 4 Mag Seven stocks report.

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