The S&P/ASX 200 finished 0.8% lower at a two-week low of 8,755 on Thursday, dragged by energy stocks after Santos slumped as an ADNOC-led consortium withdrew its takeover bid. Markets also digested a weaker-than-expected jobs report, which showed employment fell by 5,400 in August, defying forecasts for a 21,500 gain, as full-time jobs dropped 40,900. The jobless rate held at 4.2% while participation eased to 66.8%, pointing to a gradually softening labor market. Still, markets see only a 20% chance of an RBA cut in September, with November odds at 70%, as above-target inflation keeps policymakers cautious. In corporate news, energy firms dropped 5.9%, their weakest day in over five months, with Santos plunging 11.9% after Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC-led consortium withdrew its $18.7B bid following months of wrangling over valuation and terms. Heavyweight miners also fell 0.4% on weaker copper prices, while rate-sensitive financials slipped 0.9%, with CBA down 2.3%, its fourth straight decline.