The S&P/ASX 200 dropped nearly 2% to close at 8,901 on Wednesday, marking a three-week low, as worries about the inflationary fallout from the Middle East conflict overshadowed stronger-than-expected domestic GDP data. The economy grew 0.8% in Q4 2025, with annual growth accelerating to 2.6%, the fastest pace in almost three years and above forecasts. Still, escalating tensions tied to the Iran conflict unsettled global markets and dampened risk appetite. While the solid growth print underscored economic resilience, it also reinforced expectations that interest rates could stay higher for longer. Gold stocks led the retreat, tumbling 3.9% and dragging the broader mining sector down 3%. Airline shares remained under pressure, with Virgin Australia falling 2.9% to a one-month low and rival Qantas down 2.7%. Heavyweight financials also extended declines, while energy stocks cooled after three straight sessions of gains.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, fell to 8901 points on March 4, 2026, losing 1.94% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 0.13% and is up 9.34% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Australia. Historically, the Australia Stock Market Index reached an all time high of 9202.90 in February of 2026. Australia Stock Market Index - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 4 of 2026.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, fell to 8901 points on March 4, 2026, losing 1.94% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 0.13% and is up 9.34% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Australia. The Australia Stock Market Index is expected to trade at 9085.60 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 8409.66 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
ASX200 8,901.20 -176.07 -1.94% 0.13% 9.34% Mar/04

Components Price Day Year MCap Date
Commonwealth Bank 171.91 -2.07 -1.19% 9.92% 210.75B Mar/04
BHP Group 55.68 -2.02 -3.50% 40.82% 193.85B Mar/04
Newmont Corporation 171.86 -11.58 -6.31% 151.74% 138.45B Mar/04
Amcor PLC 66.56 -0.22 -0.33% -17.11% 111.67B Mar/04
Westpac Banking 41.13 -0.67 -1.60% 30.41% 90.51B Mar/04
National Australia Bank 46.68 -0.96 -2.02% 35.11% 86.73B Mar/04
Wesfarmers 76.07 -1.17 -1.51% 2.58% 65.93B Mar/04
ANZ Banking 37.94 -1.46 -3.71% 29.22% 65.08B Mar/04
Macquarie 191.53 -4.94 -2.51% -13.51% 53.43B Mar/04
CSL 142.86 -2.38 -1.64% -45.94% 50.49B Mar/04




Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Australia Inflation Rate 3.80 3.80 percent Jan 2026
Australia Interest Rate 3.85 3.60 percent Feb 2026
Australia Unemployment Rate 4.10 4.10 percent Jan 2026

Australia Stock Market Index
The AU200 tracks the performance of 200 large companies based in Australia. It is a market-capitalization weighted and float-adjusted index. The index has a base value of AUD3133.3, equal to the value of the All Ordinary Shares as of March 31, 2000. This index is primarily derived from over-the-counter trading and contracts for difference indexes (CFDs).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
8901.20 9077.27 9202.90 1358.50 1992 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: Australia

News Stream
Australian Shares Finish at 3-Week Low
The S&P/ASX 200 dropped nearly 2% to close at 8,901 on Wednesday, marking a three-week low, as worries about the inflationary fallout from the Middle East conflict overshadowed stronger-than-expected domestic GDP data. The economy grew 0.8% in Q4 2025, with annual growth accelerating to 2.6%, the fastest pace in almost three years and above forecasts. Still, escalating tensions tied to the Iran conflict unsettled global markets and dampened risk appetite. While the solid growth print underscored economic resilience, it also reinforced expectations that interest rates could stay higher for longer. Gold stocks led the retreat, tumbling 3.9% and dragging the broader mining sector down 3%. Airline shares remained under pressure, with Virgin Australia falling 2.9% to a one-month low and rival Qantas down 2.7%. Heavyweight financials also extended declines, while energy stocks cooled after three straight sessions of gains.
2026-03-04
Australian Stocks Extend Losses
The S&P/ASX 200 slid 1.7% to below 8,920 in early Wednesday trading, extending the previous session’s losses as concerns over the inflationary impact of the Middle East conflict weighed on sentiment, while investors awaited key domestic growth figures. The downturn mirrored a broader global selloff, with escalating tensions driving oil prices higher and fueling fresh inflation worries. Gold names led the retreat, down 6.6%, after bullion prices pulled back on a firmer US dollar. Gold producers Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining dropped 6.7% and 6.3%, respectively, dragging the broader mining sector 3.9% lower. Investors now look to the Q4 GDP release after recent trade data showed net exports were less of a drag and public spending provided a stronger lift. Meanwhile, RBA Governor Michele Bullock signaled the central bank could still tighten policy as soon as March if inflation expectations risk becoming unanchored.
2026-03-04
Australian Shares Finish Over 1% Lower
The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 1.3% to close at 9,077 on Tuesday, retreating from a record high reached in the previous session as investors weighed the latest remarks from RBA Governor Michele Bullock. She said the central bank’s March policy meeting would be “live” for a potential rate increase, marking a notable shift from her recent emphasis on patience. Bullock also cautioned that a potential oil price shock linked to escalating tensions involving Iran could reignite domestic inflation pressures. Market pricing now implies roughly a 28% probability of a 25bps rate hike at the upcoming meeting, with investors fully pricing in further tightening by May and assigning around a 75% chance that the cash rate will rise to 4.35% by year-end. Mining heavyweights led the declines, with BHP Group, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue sliding between 2.4% and 4.5%. In contrast, energy stocks outperformed, with Woodside Energy, Santos, Ampol, and Whitehaven Coal rising between 0.8% and 3.2%.
2026-03-03