Day traders' after-market lounge October 25

Thanks afternoon crew.

End-of-day summary:

The share market fell for the fourth time in five sessions after disappointing inflation data prompted the major banks to predict another rate hike next month.

The ASX 200 finished three points or 0.04% in the red after being up as much as 40 points prior to this morning's quarterly Consumer Price Index. Stocks fell and the dollar jumped after the report showed consumer prices increased more than expected last quarter, sharpening fears that inflation is becoming entrenched at a level well above the Reserve Bank's target.

ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and NAB all revised their rates outlooks in the wake of the report, pencilling in a quarter-point hike to the cash rate target next month to 4.35%. The upgrades followed a warning last night from RBA Governor Michele Bullock that the Board "will not hesitate to raise the cash rate further if there is a material upward revision to the outlook for inflation".

Eight out of eleven sectors declined today, led by REITs, consumer staples and financials. Materials, tech and communications resisted the sell-off.