The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4% to close at 8,614 on Tuesday, snapping a three-session losing streak even as the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered its second straight month of rate hikes. The central bank’s nine-member policy committee voted 5–4 to lift the cash rate by 25 bps to 4.1% from 3.85%, marking back-to-back rate hikes since mid-2023 and reversing two of last year’s three cuts. The RBA signaled growing unease that inflation, still running above its 2–3% target band, may remain elevated for “some time.” Officials pointed in particular to escalating tensions in the Middle East as a key source of upside risk, warning that further increases in global energy and commodity prices could feed through to domestic inflation. Banking stocks were among the gainers, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation, and ANZ Group rising between 0.4% and 1.1%, while miners, including BHP Group, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue, advanced 0.2% to 1.1%.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, rose to 8600 points on March 17, 2026, gaining 0.19% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 4.52%, though it remains 9.41% higher than a year ago, 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 17 of 2026.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, rose to 8600 points on March 17, 2026, gaining 0.19% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 4.52%, though it remains 9.41% higher than a year ago, 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 8582.92 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 7915.67 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
ASX200 8,608.70 30.92 0.36% -4.42% 9.52% Mar/17

Components Price Day Year MCap Date
Commonwealth Bank 176.12 0.59 0.34% 22.14% 210.75B Mar/17
BHP Group 49.73 0.54 1.10% 25.52% 193.85B Mar/17
Newmont Corporation 156.35 1.40 0.90% 109.02% 138.45B Mar/17
Amcor PLC 57.31 -0.65 -1.12% -25.28% 111.67B Mar/17
Westpac Banking 41.49 0.57 1.39% 37.48% 90.51B Mar/17
National Australia Bank 47.46 0.40 0.85% 45.63% 86.73B Mar/17
ANZ Banking 37.53 0.08 0.21% 29.95% 78.76B Mar/17
Wesfarmers 75.44 -1.21 -1.58% 8.03% 61.51B Mar/17
Macquarie 195.67 1.70 0.88% -0.22% 53.43B Mar/17
CSL 141.15 0.49 0.35% -43.01% 50.49B Mar/17




Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Australia Inflation Rate 3.80 3.80 percent Jan 2026
Australia Interest Rate 4.10 3.85 percent Mar 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
8599.70 8583.38 9202.90 1358.50 1992 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: Australia

News Stream
Australian Shares Rebound Despite Rate Hike
The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4% to close at 8,614 on Tuesday, snapping a three-session losing streak even as the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered its second straight month of rate hikes. The central bank’s nine-member policy committee voted 5–4 to lift the cash rate by 25 bps to 4.1% from 3.85%, marking back-to-back rate hikes since mid-2023 and reversing two of last year’s three cuts. The RBA signaled growing unease that inflation, still running above its 2–3% target band, may remain elevated for “some time.” Officials pointed in particular to escalating tensions in the Middle East as a key source of upside risk, warning that further increases in global energy and commodity prices could feed through to domestic inflation. Banking stocks were among the gainers, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation, and ANZ Group rising between 0.4% and 1.1%, while miners, including BHP Group, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue, advanced 0.2% to 1.1%.
2026-03-17
Australian Shares Open the Week Lower
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4% to close at 8,583 on Monday, extending losses from the previous week as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to raise concerns about global growth and inflation. Over the weekend, the US struck military targets near Kharg Island and warned it could expand attacks on energy infrastructure if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. Australia opted not to deploy naval vessels despite Washington seeking allied support to secure the waterway. These developments pushed oil prices higher, reigniting inflationary fears and strengthening expectations of hawkish stances among several major central banks. The RBA is set to announce its monetary policy decision on Tuesday, with markets pricing in roughly a 75% chance of a rate hike to 4.1%, and fully expecting the cash rate to reach around 4.35% by August. Metals and mining stocks fell 2.4% to a more than two-month low, while gold stocks declined 3.7% to its lowest level in over three months.
2026-03-16
Australian Shares End the Week Lower
The S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.1% to close at 8,617 on Friday and finished the week 2.6% lower, marking a second straight weekly loss as rising oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict fueled inflation concerns. Crude prices jumped after Iran intensified strikes on oil and transport infrastructure across the region, raising fears of supply disruptions. Higher fuel costs also lifted domestic inflation worries, prompting markets to raise the odds of a rate hike at the March 17 meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia to about 78%. Gold miner Northern Star led the losses, down 18.8%, its worst session since late March 2020, after flagging difficulties in reaching its annual production forecast. Mining giant BHP Group also fell 1.7% as China widened its iron ore ban amid a month-long contract dispute, while Rio Tinto advanced 3.1% after Glencore revived hopes of a potential deal. Financials, up 1%, cushioned overall losses, while energy firms remained in the green.
2026-03-13