Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1, @JabraD and morning crew. Half-time...

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1, @JabraD and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:

The share market set a new high before dropping into the red as declines in index heavyweights BHP, CSL and Wesfarmers offset gains for gold miners and property and tech stocks.

The ASX 200 touched 7769 mid-morning but by mid-session had fallen back to 7740, a loss of six points or 0.08%.

A record close for gold on Friday lifted West African Resources 8.33%, Gold Road Resources 7.58% and Genesis Minerals 6.8%. Other notable gains included lithium miners and Life360.

Two weeks of decline in iron ore prices and a soft open to trade this morning dragged Fortescue Metals down 1.62%, BHP 1.06% and Rio Tinto 0.62%. Iron ore prices were this morning trading 1.7% weaker on the Dalian Commodity Exchange.

The market reversed direction after reports showed building approvals slumped to an 11-year low in January and job advertising contracted by 2.8% last month.

This morning's initial rally followed fresh highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in Friday. The S&P 500 rallied 0.8%, closing above 5,100 for the first time. The Nasdaq gained 1.14%.


Personal trading: Been off the pace all morning. Looked at W2V, didn't buy. Bombed ADN by waiting for 2.55c rather than just taking the 2.6c on offer. (SP touched 2.55 once; 15 minutes later it was going at 3.3c. Sheesh.) Was in the right place for the low in DRO but didn't get a fill.