End of Day Report – Friday 20 March: ASX 200 down 69 - Banks slid - Resources found some buyers - US Futures up slightly - Little corporate news.

The ASX 200 fell another 69 points to 8428 (0.8%) for a weekly loss of around 2.2%. Today we saw the banking sector come under a little pressure. CBA fell 1.0% and the Big Bank Basket dropped to $298.51 (%). NAB was the biggest loser off 2.3%. Financials were mixed, GQG rose 2.4%, SOL fell 1.0% and HUB dropped 2.4%. REITs were flat lining, industrials mixed, WES slipped another 0.8% with retail under pressure, JBH down 4.1% and WOW dipping 0.9% after defensive buying shifted. TLS off 0.2% and SGH falling 2.4% with QAN still falling 1.1%. Tech was mixed, WTC and TNE better with the All-Tech Index down 0.2%.

Resources were down but not out today. BHP and RIO slid, off 1.8% and 2.9% respectively, lithium stock finding their feet with EV demand expected to grow on oil pressures. Gold miners eased but not dramatically, EVN up 1.6% and GGP off 7.3% with GMD actually 2.2% better. BSL rallied 4.3% with PLS stabilising. Up 2.4%. Coal stocks better again with WHC up %. WDS pushing ahead again, up 1.0% but STO flat. Uranium stocks mixed.

In corporate news, COL rallied another 0.8% on fuel levy news, FLT made a UK acquisition and PMV fell 4.3% after a mixed first half. Smiggle seems to be struggling.

Nothing on the economic front.

10-year yields higher at 5.0%.

Asian markets mixed on higher oil prices, Japan closed. HK down 0.7% and China up 0.8%

US Options and Futures expiry tonight. Dow Futures up 98 Nasdaq futures up 17.

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