The ASX 200 fell 63 points, or 0.7%, to close at 8,702 on Thursday, ending a run of recent gains as U.S. stock futures declined. Investors weighed the prospect of further Federal Reserve tightening after last week’s first rate hike since 2023, while locally they assessed the risk of a hawkish move from the Reserve Bank of Australia at next week’s meeting amid persistent inflation. Early losses eased after data showed unemployment rose slightly to 4.6% in August, above consensus. Governor Bullock has said joblessness between 4.5% and 5.0% could help curb inflation. Manufacturing, non-energy minerals and commercial services underperformed, while energy minerals and logistics provided some support. A stronger U.S. dollar and weaker copper pressured resource stocks, with BHP down 1.8% and Rio Tinto off 1.2%. The big four banks declined between 1.0% and 1.9%. PLS Group fell 6.1% and HUB24 lost 3.5%, while energy stocks gained as Santos rose 2.1% and Woodside Energy advanced 1.5%.