AU Evening Wrap | ASX 200 halts gains, Star Entertainment loses a third of its value; US jobs data looms

Top gainers: $Arcadium Lithium PLC (LTM.AU)$, $Pro Medicus Ltd (PME.AU)$ and $Northern Star Resources Ltd (NST.AU)$
Top losers: $Lovisa Holdings Ltd (LOV.AU)$, $Cettire Ltd (CTT.AU)$ and $GQG Partners Inc (GQG.AU)$

Australian shares dipped slightly on Thursday, ending a five-day winning streak. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ fell 0.24% to close at 8,329.20, as investors turned cautious ahead of upcoming US jobs data and a possible emergency declaration on inflation.

$Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AU)$ shares rose 0.45% to A$116.45. The mining giant's acquisition of Arcadium Lithium cleared a key regulatory hurdle, receiving approval from the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment.

$The Star Entertainment Group Ltd (SGR.AU)$ plummeted 33.33% to A$0.13, hitting an all-time low during trading. The casino operator reported a sharp decline in its cash reserves, with available funds dropping to A$79 million by year-end, down from A$149 million in September. This significant cash burn has raised concerns about the company's financial health.

$Telstra Group Ltd (TLS.AU)$ shares climbed 0.25% to A$4.07. The telecom leader is reportedly partnering with Starlink to launch a satellite-to-mobile messaging service in Australia. This strategic move could expand Telstra's service offerings and enhance its market position in remote communications.