Market Wrap / on hold

With the RBA still worried about inflation, and leaving the cash rate on hold for the fifth time in 2025, local markets remained in the red. Meanwhile the Aussie dollar dipped on the RBA's decision, before jumping back stronger just above $0.663 on the US dollar. It comes as Michele Bullock closed the door to a continued rate cutting cycle, saying at the post meeting media conference "I don't think there are interest rate cuts in the foreseeable future".Equity-wise, the S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.45% lower to 8,585.90 points today, dragged by the materials and energy sectors. 

Lower commodity prices sent BHP 0.4% lower. Meanwhile the mining giant has sectured US$2 billion in funding from Global Infrastructure Partners, a BlackRock subsidiary.In other company news, CBA was summoned to pay a $792,000 penalty for breaching consumer data rules, and the stock closed 0.6% lower. Meanwhile Bapcor lost 21.3% as it downgraded its FY26 profit guidance following a "disappointing" October and November.And TPG Telecom was down a further 1.6% today, with executives facing a Senate committee over two fatal Triple Zero incidents.Looking ahead, US nonfarm productivity for the September quarter is due, ahead of the Federal Reserve's two day policy meeting.