ASX 200: ASX falls amid RBA cut, earnigns reports
Reserve Bank cuts rates 25 basis points, takes official cash rate to 4.1 per cent. First cut in more than four years. NAB, Westpac, CBA and ANZ lower home loan rates. Qatar-Virgin deal gets ACCC nod. Gold to outshine $US3000: UBS, Goldman.
That's all from the Trading Day blog for Tuesday, February 18. The ASX 200 index closed 0.7 per cent lower to 8481 points after the RBA cut interest rates for the first time in four years but played down the possibility of further cuts.
Amid emergency talks between the region's leaders over US-Russia discussions on Ukraine, some European bourses closed at records as defence stocks surged on possible higher spending. The European STOXX 600 index rose 0.5 per cent to its highest close. Germany's benchmark index, DAX, also hit an all-time high.
Cryptocurrency giant bitcoin is above $US96,000.
The Aussie dollar is trading around US63.53c.
ASX 200 hits 5-week low; $2.4bn for Whyalla Steelworks
Fortescue leads mining losses. Banks continue to sink. Goodman down on equity raising. Megaport top gainer as Telstra, Wesfarmers also lift. Rescue package for SA steel plant. Jobs rise more than expected.
ASX 200 down as NAB, Santos, MinRes hit
SA govt puts Whyalla Steelworks into administration. NAB shares slumps as margin strain dents earnings. MinRes tanks on massive loss. Santos results disappoint. WA rich lister sells $8.5bn Rio stake. MinRes' big loss triggers double-digit dive. Profitable Goodman taps investors for $4bn.