Market Close 16 Dec 21: ASX ends lower as record employment growth pushes interest rates higher

The Aussie sharemarket shrugged off a strong lead from Wall Street overnight to trade weaker today. The ASX 200 (XJO) fell 31 points or 0.4% to close at 7,295. The market was held back by losses in the Healthcare, Materials, Energy, Industrials, Telco and Utilities sectors. Overnight, the US Federal Reserve left its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 0-0.25%. However Fed officials see as many as three interest rate hikes in 2022. The Central Bank said it will reduce or ‘taper’ its asset purchases, buying US$60bn per month of bonds in January, down from December's rate of US$90bn.

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