S&P/ASX 200 dips below flatline as miners and banks weigh the market down

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) was trading 6 points lower at 6,189 at around 1.17 pm following losses on Wall Street overnight, with the major US indices falling for the first time in five sessions. The declines on the ASX were led by financials, materials and energy stocks. Gains for healthcare, technology, consumer staples and discretionary were offsetting these losses to an extent. Australia’s big four banks were all in the red with Westpac (ASX:WBC) falling 1.77%, Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) down 0.88% and National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) falling by 1.71%. Commodity prices fell overnight, which is being reflected in the materials sector with mining major Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) down 1.21% and BHP Group (ASX:BHP) 0.43% lower. COVID-19 vaccine trial paused Johnson & Johnson has temporarily halted its COVID-19 vaccine trial after one of its participants became sick. "We have temporarily paused further dosing in all our COVID-19 vaccine candidate clinical trials, including the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial, due to an unexplained illness in a study participant," the company confirmed in a statement. The pause means the online enrolment system has been closed for the 60,000-patient clinical trial while an independent patient safety committee is convened. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Australian Strategic Mtrls (Hldngs) Ltd (ASX:ASM) (+10.91%), TNT Mines Ltd (ASX:TIN) (+15.00%), Cirralto Ltd (ASX:CRO) (+12.12%), Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) (+12.50%) and Buru Energy Limited (ASX:BRU ) (+11.11%). Proactive news headlines: Brookside Energy completes third Orion JV acquisition, gears up for workover operations Brookside Energy Ltd’s (ASX:BRK) Orion Project Joint Venture with Stonehorse Energy Limited (ASX:SHE) has executed a purchase and sale agreement for its third producing property acquisition, the Thelma 1-32 well, including the associated 40 HBP acres and existing infrastructure. Blackstone Minerals positive scoping study positions Ta Khoa to serve growing li-ion battery market Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX) (FRA:B9S) has completed a positive scoping study which paves the way for continued progress with the development and restart of the Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Vietnam. YPB Group opens further doors in Thailand with third channel partner for sale of consumer goods YPB Group Ltd (ASX:YPB) has secured a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with a third channel partner in Thailand, Jirawattano Co Ltd, offering the company immediate access to a broad range of consumer goods industries that produce high-volume products. Creso Pharma benefits from medicinal cannabis uptake in Israel Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX:CPH) welcomes recent Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency (IMCA) data that highlights a significant recent increase in medicinal cannabis uptake from patients in the country. Macarthur Minerals strengthens balance sheet by raising A$6.25 million and securing A$20 million finance package Macarthur Minerals Ltd (ASX:MIO) (CVE:MMS) (OTCMKTS:MMSDF) has strengthened its balance sheet through a private placement raising almost A$6.25 million and a A$20 million standby equity finance facility secured under a Controlled Placement Agreement. Emyria uniquely positioned to take the lead in future of medicine as it moves beyond clinics Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD), formerly known as Emerald Clinics Limited, is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in a new-look healthcare industry, which has changed forever with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Nelson Resources ticks off FY20 achievements with sights set on discovering next Tropicana Nelson Resources Ltd (ASX:NES) has its sights set on discovering the next Tropicana-style deposit as it ticks off several successes during the 2020 financial year despite a challenging 6-12 months due to COVID-19.