AU Evening Wrap: ASX 200 closed down just 0.02%

The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ traded in a tight 27-point range before finishing 1.6 points or 0.02 per cent lower.

Travel stocks were boosted by a positive trading update from Flight Centre.

$Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (FLT.AU)$ climbed 2.98 per cent after announcing it broke even in the first half after suffering heavy losses during the pandemic. The travel agent trimmed its expected full-year underlying loss to $180-$190 million from previous guidance of $195-$225 million.

$Fortescue Ltd (FMG.AU)$ rallied 2.36 per cent to a three-week high. $BHP Group Ltd (BHP.AU)$ tacked on 1.63 per cent and $Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AU)$ 0.91 per cent.

Payment solutions provider $EML Payments Ltd (EML.AU)$ dived 22.18 per cent on news compliance issues in Ireland were expected to drag on into next year. The firm said it had completed "significant work" at the direction of the Central Bank of Ireland but had more to do.