Australian shares fell 37 points, or 0.4%, to 8,756 in Friday morning trade, marking a fourth straight decline and tracking Wall Street’s Thursday losses as hopes for a swift resolution to the Middle East war faded. Iran vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed while U.S. port blockades remain, intensifying geopolitical strain. For the week, the local market is down around 2% so far, set for a second consecutive weekly loss. Inflation pressures, already above the Reserve Bank’s target before hostilities erupted, have reinforced expectations of further rate hikes at the May meeting, with March inflation data due next week in focus. Sector losses were broad, led by commercial services, financials, and non-energy minerals. Fortescue slipped 2.9% after saying guidance for FY 2026 total mining shipments remained unchanged. Other notable decliners included Northern Star Resources (-2.3%), Qantas Airways (-1.9%), Sigma Healthcare (-1.1%), and BHP Group (-0.5%).

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, fell to 8705 points on April 24, 2026, losing 1.00% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 2.00% and is up 8.86% 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 April 24 of 2026.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, fell to 8705 points on April 24, 2026, losing 1.00% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 2.00% and is up 8.86% 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 8809.74 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 8289.30 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
ASX200 8,711.00 -82.40 -0.94% 2.07% 8.93% Apr/24

Components Price Day Year MCap Date
Commonwealth Bank 171.81 -1.57 -0.91% 5.50% 208.24B Apr/24
BHP Group 55.47 -0.56 -1.00% 47.29% 204.19B Apr/24
Newmont Corporation 158.66 4.18 2.71% 88.61% 119.3B Apr/24
Amcor PLC 55.03 -0.66 -1.19% -26.48% 91.02B Apr/24
Westpac Banking 38.75 -0.37 -0.95% 19.97% 90.51B Apr/24
National Australia Bank 39.98 -0.18 -0.45% 11.99% 86.73B Apr/24
ANZ Banking 35.88 -0.26 -0.72% 22.42% 77.76B Apr/24
Wesfarmers 74.04 -0.15 -0.20% -3.63% 61.51B Apr/24
Macquarie 230.86 0.26 0.11% 19.67% 50.51B Apr/24
CSL 128.75 -0.25 -0.19% -47.30% 50.49B Apr/24




Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Australia Inflation Rate 3.70 3.80 percent Feb 2026
Australia Interest Rate 4.10 4.10 percent Apr 2026
Australia Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.30 percent Mar 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
8705.20 8793.40 9202.90 1358.50 1992 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: Australia

News Stream
Stocks in Australia on Track for Back-to-Back Weekly Losses
Australian shares fell 37 points, or 0.4%, to 8,756 in Friday morning trade, marking a fourth straight decline and tracking Wall Street’s Thursday losses as hopes for a swift resolution to the Middle East war faded. Tehran vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as long as U.S. port blockades remain, intensifying geopolitical strain. For the week, the local market is down around 2% so far, set for a second consecutive weekly loss. Inflation pressures, already above the Reserve Bank’s target before hostilities in Iran erupted, have reinforced expectations of further rate hikes at the May meeting, with March inflation data due next week in focus. Sector losses were broad, led by commercial services, financials, and non-energy minerals. Fortescue slipped 2.9% after saying guidance for FY 2026 total mining shipments remained unchanged. Other notable decliners included Northern Star Resources (-2.3%), Qantas Airways (-1.9%), Sigma Healthcare (-1.1%), and BHP Group (-0.5%).
2026-04-24
ASX 200 Falls for Third Day, Closes at Two-Week Low
The S&P/ASX 200 lost 50 points, or 0.6%, to finish at 8,793 on Thursday, marking a third straight decline and its lowest level in two weeks, as traders shunned risk amid a sharp retreat in U.S. futures and escalating geopolitical tensions. U.S. Vice President JD Vance reportedly paused plans to join peace talks after reports of Tehran’s lack of commitment, while Iran said it had seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns also mounted that the Reserve Bank of Australia would keep raising cash rates, with inflation already above target before hostilities in the Middle East erupted. Some economists see headline inflation hitting 5.0% in Q2, double the RBA’s goal, after two hikes this year. Most sectors slipped, led by process industries, non-energy minerals, and financials. The four big banks lost 0.2%–1.0%, while other major decliners included Lynas Rare Earths (-6.7%), PLS Group (-4.0%), Wisetech Global (-3.1%), and Evolution Mining (-1.2%).
2026-04-23
Australia Stocks Dip for Third Session
Australian shares slipped 50 points, or 0.6%, to 8,793 in early Thursday trade, retreating for a third session and hovering at a two-week low. Sentiment was pressured by a sharp drop in U.S. equity futures following renewed Middle East uncertainty, as Iranian officials reportedly refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Trump’s ceasefire extension. Locally, households and businesses continue to grapple with high mortgage rates, soaring energy costs, and price strains from geopolitical conflicts. With the Reserve Bank set to hold a policy meeting in early May, expectations are rising for another cash rate hike. Still, losses were partly offset by April PMI data showing signs of recovery in both manufacturing and services in Australia. Process industries, consumer non-durables, and financials led the decline, with major laggards from Lynas Rare Earths (-5.1%), Aristocrat Leisure (-2.2%), and Medibank Private (-3.5%). The four big banks dropped between 0.2% and 1.3%.
2026-04-23