ASX 200 live: ASIC sues Binance; Insignia rejects Bain bid; Chalmers spending challenges RBA fight
Financial regulator targets crypto giant over alleged customer fails. Insignia rejects Bain bid. Chalmers' spending plans to challenge RBA fight. ANZ facing more regulatory scrutiny. Aus economy in 'reasonable shape': NAB CEO.
Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Wednesday, December 18. The ASX 200 index bounced up and down, closing 0.1 per cent lower to 8309.40 points.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index marked a nine-day losing streak - its longest since 1978 - falling by 0.6 per cent. The S&P 500 index closed 0.4 per cent lower and the technology-focused Nasdaq index shed 0.3 per cent.
Cryptocurrency market leader bitcoin hit a high of $US108,000, but is currently below $US104,000.
The Aussie dollar is trading around US63.14c at 4.50pm AEDT.
More Coverage
ASX 200 rises after RBA minutes; St Barbara tanks
Domestic shares closed higher after the release of minutes from the RBA’s last meeting for 2024, which received some support from the IMF overnight. SBM hit with PNG tax bill.
ASX finishes strongly, led by banks
The sharemarket closed 1.7 per cent higher, with gains across the board, led by the heavyweight financial sector. News Corp found strong support after its mega $3.4bn Foxtel deal.