S&P/ASX 200 slips even as Wall Street hits another record high overnight

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has retreated 0.31% to 7,037 by about 12.52 pm despite Wall Street lifting to record highs overnight. The Dow Jones in the US crossed 34,000 points for the first time and the S&P 500 also closed at record highs. Locally, financial and energy sectors fell heavily while gold miners were among the bigger gainers on the back of a rise in the precious metal overnight. Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) rose 3.4%, Northern Star (ASX:NST) gained 3% and Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) added 3.8%. It is worth noting that despite today’s fall, the ASX 200 is still on track for its fourth weekly advance in a row, currently up 0.7% for the week. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include PNX Metals Ltd (ASX:PNX) (+14.29%), Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) (+15.00%), RTG Mining CDI (ASX:RTG) (+11.76%), Westar Resources Ltd (ASX:WSR) (+9.52%) and Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU) (+8.57%). Proactive news headlines: Lithium Australia data review enhances prospectivity of Greenbushes South Lithium Project JV Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) (OTCMKTS:LMMFF) (FRA:3MW) welcomes an update from joint venture partner Galan Lithium Ltd (ASX:GLN) on exploration at the Greenbushes South Project in Western Australia. RTG Mining welcomes Philippines move to lift nine year ban on new mining deals RTG Mining Inc (ASX:RTG) (TSE:RTG) (OTCMKTS:RTTGF) has welcomed the Philippines Government’s move to lift a nine-year ban on new mining deals. Queensland Pacific Metals produces battery spec nickel sulphate from pilot plant mixed hydroxide precipitate Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) (FRA:4EA) has completed successful bench-scale test-work to produce nickel sulphate from the nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) produced at its pilot plant operations. Valor Resources directors participate in special crossing trade, demonstrating confidence in exploration strategy Valor Resources Ltd (ASX:VAL) (OTCMKTS:VOYRF) (FRA:LFY) executive director George Bauk and executive chairman Brian McMaster have demonstrated confidence in the company’s copper-silver and uranium exploration strategy with a special crossing trade of shares. Twenty Seven Co data review identifies gold in soil anomalies around Yarbu Gold Project Twenty Seven Co Ltd’s (ASX:TSC) (FRA:U9V) review of historical soil geochemistry, combined with the reprocessing of open file historical geophysical surveys, has confirmed the presence of favourable structural settings at Yarbu Gold Project which warrant first-pass exploration investigation. Corazon Mining downhole EM identifies multiple nickel-copper sulphide conductors at Lynn Lake Project Corazon Mining Ltd's (ASX:CZN) first phase 2021 drilling campaign at Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Sulphide Project in Manitoba Province, Canada, has intersected favourable host rocks and extensive indications of magmatic nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation. Theta Gold Mines set to be key player in South African mining with development strategy for Eastern Transvaal Gold Fields Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) (OTCMKTS:TGMGF) looks set to become a key player in the South African mining industry through plans to begin operations at open pit and underground mines in the Eastern Transvaal Gold Fields.