S&P/ASX 200 dips again as bond market volatility impacts investor decision making

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has continued its early decline, falling 0.92% to 6,698 points by 2 pm as bond yields rose again in the US following a statement from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Powell said economic reopening could “create some upward pressure on prices” and that he expects the central bank to be “patient” in terms of acting on policy, even if the economy sees “transitory increases in inflation.” Powell noted, however, that the recent increase in yields did catch his attention, as have improving economic conditions. Tech stocks suffer ASX technology stocks have followed their US counterparts to be the weakest performers so far in Friday’s session. Buy-now pay later firm Afterpay (ASX:APT) dipped 3.87% with smaller players like Openpay (ASX:OPY) suffering bigger declines. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Alta Zinc Ltd (ASX:AZI) (+20.00%), Alice Queen Ltd (ASX:AQX) (+8.00%), Carnavale Resources Limited (ASX:CAV) (+14.29%), Domacom Australia Ltd (ASX:DCL) (+12.68%), Emperor Energy Ltd  (ASX:EMP) (+6.45) and PNX Metals Ltd  (ASX:PNX) (+14.29%). Proactive news headlines: Highfield Resources welcomes Social Baseline Study from Government of Navarra on positive socio-economic outlook for Muga Potash Project Highfield Resources Ltd (ASX:HFR) (FRA:23H) has welcomed the independent Social Baseline Study of the Muga Potash Mine from the Government of Navarra in Spain which has concluded that the mine represents a significant positive socioeconomic potential for the local region. King River Resources lands high-grade gold, silver and copper rock chip results at Kurundi King River Resources Ltd’s (ASX:KRR) reconnaissance exploration at Kurundi Project in the Tennant Creek/Davenport region of the Northern Territory has returned high-grade gold, silver and copper rock chip samples. Antipa Minerals drilling at Paterson farm-in project with IGO Ltd extends Poblano mineralisation to 1.6 kilometres Antipa Minerals Ltd (ASX:AZY) aircore drilling program at the Paterson farm-in project with IGO Ltd (ASX:IGO) (OTCMKTS:IPGDF) in WA's Paterson Province has extended Poblano gold-copper-silver mineralisation by 500 metres to 1.6 kilometres of strike. Jindalee Resources drill results confirm extension to McDermitt lithium resource Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has received further drilling results from a 15-hole program completed late in 2020 which have extended the McDermitt lithium resource in southeast Oregon and confirmed substantial thickness and continuity of mineralisation from surface. Lithium Australia to pilot test LieNA spodumene conversion process Lithium Australia NL’s (ASX:LIT) (FRA:3MW) (OTCMKTS:LMMFF) LieNA® pilot plant has been given the green light, with the company preparing to test its unique LieNA® spodumene conversion process. Thomson Resources enhances hub and spoke strategy with silver project acquisition Thomson Resources Ltd (ASX:TMZ) has entered into a binding Mine Sale Agreement with MRV Metals Pty Ltd to acquire the Texas Silver Project in the highly prospective Silver Spur Basin of southern Queensland. Sipa Resources about to test Murchison Gold Project targets with aircore drilling Sipa Resources Limited (ASX:SRI) (FRA:SPO) is set to begin drilling at its recently acquired Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia, pending weather in the district. Firefinch recommences work at Koting Deposit and receives high-grade results from Pit 5 Prospect, both at Morila in Mali Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) (OTCMKTS:EEYMF) (FRA:N9F) has recommenced work at the Koting Deposit and received gold results described as “very positive” from Pit 5 Prospect, both at the operational Morila Gold Project in Mali. AVZ Minerals on path towards construction at Manono Lithium and Tin Project in DRC AVZ Minerals Ltd’s (ASX:AVZ) (FRA:3A2) (OTCMKTS:AZZVF) Manono Lithium and Tin Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, is on the pathway towards construction with plans in place to submit one remaining ESIA proposal to the ACE in DRC for approval this quarter.