Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1 and morning crew. Half-time wrap: The...

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1 and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:

The share market threatened a second straight loss after inflation slowed by less than economists forecast, muddying the outlook for interest rate cuts.

The ASX 200 dropped 34 points or 0.42% by mid-morning. A negative close this afternoon would hand the market back-to-back losses for the first time since a steep two-day plunge at the start of the month.

Headline annual consumer inflation was 3.5% last month - down from 3.8% in June but above the 3.4% reading anticipated by economists. Underlying annual inflation declined to 3.7% from 4%.

"The bumpy path of monthly inflation turns down again, but it is clear progress on disinflation is modest," tweeted Alex Joiner, chief economist at IFM Investors.

Telstra and tech and resource stocks were the morning's biggest drags. Gold miners and supermarkets bucked the downtrend.


Personal trading: Mixed morning. The CR price for FHE looked too cheap not to attract bargain-hunters, so took that one for a few pips. In and out of KPO for brokerage - probably shoulda been more patient. Part-fill in G11, but not a day-changer.