Afternoon trading May 1

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1 and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:

The share market unwound two days of gains after rising wage inflation pushed US stocks sharply lower ahead of tonight's interest rate decision.

The ASX 200 skidded 85 points or 1.11% as all 11 sectors retreated. The tech and energy sectors fared worst. Gold miners also faced heavy selling after a surging US dollar helped drive the yellow metal down 2.3% overnight.

Wall Street was crunched overnight by evidence that consumers are increasingly gloomy even as spiralling wages threaten to reignite inflation. The S&P 500 slumped 1.57% as traders reduced risk ahead of what is expected to be a "hawkish hold" on rates from the Federal Reserve tonight.


Personal trading: Got the week back on track with rebound wins in CHM and ADN.