Afternoon trading July 4

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1 and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:

Aussie shares shed early gains ahead of an interest rate decision that many economists see as too close to call.

The ASX 200 eased six points or almost 0.1% by the halfway mark after earlier rising as much as 18 points. Gains in resource and property stocks were outweighed by declines across the wider market. Tech was the biggest drag for a second day.

A Reuters poll showed economists were almost evenly split on whether the Reserve Bank will raised the cash rate target by 25 basis points this afternoon to 4.35% or sit on their hands. The score was a slender 16:15 in favour of a hike.

Trading volumes this session were constrained by a US market holiday tonight.

Personal trading: Missed MTB but bought some BM8 in the sell-down. Sellers today may have overlooked the fact the company has a germanium prospect in Austria that will look a lot more attractive following the China export curbs announced in the last 24 hours. Be surprised if the company doesn't take advantage of the improved outlook for the project. (More info available in their Resources Rising Stars Presentation.)