Live: ASX 200 down on energy falls; Allkem, Gold Road dive

The ASX ended sharply lower. Stokes-backed BCI gets shareholder nod for $60m raise. Crown back pays $1.2m-plus to 200 staff. Economist Bill Evans tips 'aggressive easing' starting 2024. 

Equity investor sentiment is being driven by central banks’ stance on rates in their fight to control sky-high inflation. Picture: David Swift

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Friday, June 23. Energy stocks push ASX 200 lower. Stokes-backed BCI gets shareholder nod for $60m raise. Crown back pays $1.2m-plus to 200 staff. No Russian jaunts for Nuix CEO. Economist Bill Evans tips 'aggressive easing' starting 2024. 

The ASX 200 index ends down 1.3 per cent to 7099.2 points, with 9 of 11 sectors down and energy weakest.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent, the technology-focused Nasdaq index rose nearly 1 per cent but the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed just about 5 points lower. The Aussie dollar is near US67.15c.