• Aussie shares dropped on Wednesday as RBA paused its rate hike
  • Lithium stocks were mainly down, and Mesoblast the worst petformer
  • Origin shareholders reject takeover bid, shares rise

 

The ASX 200 dropped by-0.86% on Tuesday, tracking losses in New York overnight.

The Aussie dollar along with local bond yields also dropped, following the RBA’s decision to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.35%.

In a media release statement, RBA governor Michele Bullock said: “Higher interest rates are working to establish a more sustainable balance between aggregate supply and demand in the economy.”

“The impact of the more recent rate rises, including last month’s, will continue to flow through the economy. Returning inflation to target within a reasonable timeframe remains the Board’s priority,” said Bullock.

Moomoo’s market strategist, Jessica Amir, says that although the RBA has paused today, it will hike again in February (with a 27% chance of a hike).

This contrasts with the US market where traders are predicting that the Fed is done with hikes.

“Now bets are skyrocketing [in the US] for the Feds to move to a cutting cycle,” said Amir.

To the ASX, all sectors except for Utilities closed in the red. Energy and Mining stocks were the main laggards.

Lithium stocks like Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and IGO Ltd (ASX:IGO) took the biggest hits, down by 6% each.

In other markets, gold retreated from its all-time highs to trade at US$2,038 an ounce, while Bitcoin also slipped back below US$42k to US$41,803.

Across the region, Asian stocks also slid after an extended selloff in China stocks. Traders in Asia are increasingly struggling to find reasons to push the buy button following the big November rally.

 

BIG CAP WINNERS

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Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) gained 2.5% after its biggest shareholder, Australian Super, and other shareholders rejected Brookfield and EIG’s $9.39/share takeover offer in yesterday’s Scheme Meeting.

Only 68.92% of the votes cast by shareholders were in favour of the takeover, falling short of the 75% required to enforce the resolution.

“While the scheme will not proceed, it was supported by many Origin shareholders. Importantly, this process has made clear the confidence all shareholders have in Origin’s business, assets and people, and its strategic positioning for the energy transition,” said Origin Chairman, Scott Perkins.

 

BIG CAP LOSERS

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Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) was the worst moving stock today, down over 20% after announcing a dilutive cap raise of approximately $55 million at an issue price of $0.30 per new share.

Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM) dropped 7.5% after executive chairman Mark Clark sold 5 million shares worth around $23m in the open market.

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