The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 99 points or 1.2% to close at 8,605 on Tuesday, halting weakness in the prior two sessions, as bargain hunting emerged after markets hit a six-week low. Traders largely shrugged off a modest decline in U.S. stock futures, as they welcomed an improvement in consumer mood during May after April's 2-1/2-year low. However, strength was capped by the central bank's May minutes, which indicate underlying inflation in Australia will stay above 3% until late 2027, highlighting that persistent cost pressures had already been running before the Middle East conflict began. Almost all sectors gained, led by communications, logistics, and retail trade. Financials also rose solidly, following Australian government changes to investor tax concessions that could improve asset quality at the country's major lenders. The four big banks advanced between 0.9% to 1.9%. Other top performers were Woolworths Group (4.4%), SGH Ltd. (3.6%), Pro Medicus (3.3%), and QBE Insurance (3.1%).

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, rose to 8580 points on May 19, 2026, gaining 0.87% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 4.17%, though it remains 2.83% 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 May 19 of 2026.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, rose to 8580 points on May 19, 2026, gaining 0.87% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 4.17%, though it remains 2.83% 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 8549.24 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 7996.44 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
ASX200 8,573.70 99.39 1.17% -4.24% 2.76% May/19

Components Price Day Year MCap Date
BHP Group 58.70 -0.07 -0.12% 52.07% 204.84B May/19
Commonwealth Bank 162.88 2.14 1.33% -5.54% 192.32B May/19
Newmont Corporation 153.25 2.46 1.63% 95.70% 119.3B May/19
Westpac Banking 36.39 0.68 1.90% 15.52% 93.59B May/19
Amcor PLC 52.50 1.06 2.06% -28.28% 91.12B May/19
National Australia Bank 37.04 0.72 1.98% -0.46% 86.97B May/19
ANZ Banking 35.52 0.46 1.31% 23.50% 77.76B May/19
Wesfarmers 72.98 1.72 2.41% -12.62% 61.51B May/19
Macquarie 240.98 4.43 1.87% 15.81% 50.51B May/19
CSL 98.69 2.47 2.57% -59.56% 50.49B May/19




Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Australia Inflation Rate 4.60 3.70 percent Mar 2026
Australia Interest Rate 4.35 4.10 percent May 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
8579.70 8505.31 9202.90 1358.50 1992 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: Australia

News Stream
ASX 200 Surges 1.2% at Finish
The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 99 points or 1.2% to close at 8,605 on Tuesday, halting weakness in the prior two sessions, as bargain hunting emerged after markets hit a six-week low. Traders largely shrugged off a modest decline in U.S. stock futures, as they welcomed an improvement in consumer mood during May after April's 2-1/2-year low. However, strength was capped by the central bank's May minutes, which indicate underlying inflation in Australia will stay above 3% until late 2027, highlighting that persistent cost pressures had already been running before the Middle East conflict began. Almost all sectors gained, led by communications, logistics, and retail trade. Financials also rose solidly, following Australian government changes to investor tax concessions that could improve asset quality at the country's major lenders. The four big banks advanced between 0.9% to 1.9%. Other top performers were Woolworths Group (4.4%), SGH Ltd. (3.6%), Pro Medicus (3.3%), and QBE Insurance (3.1%).
2026-05-19
Australia Stocks Rebound
Australian shares jumped 89 points or 1.0% to 8,594 on Tuesday morning trade, reversing losses in the prior two sessions as bargain hunters stepped in after the ASX 200 notched a six-week low the day before. Locally, consumer confidence in May recovered from a 2-1/2-year low in April, adding to the positive momentum. However, gains were capped by remarks from a central bank's official that policymakers are increasingly wary that surging energy costs could quickly spill into broader consumer prices amid persistent capacity constraints and domestic cost pressures. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures weakened even as President Donald Trump reportedly postponed a scheduled attack on Iran. Gains were almost broad-based, led by healthcare, logistics, retail trade, and financials. The four major lenders rose between 0.9% to 1.5% while other standouts included Woolworths Group (4.9%), QBE Insurance (3.7%), Coles Group (3.1%), and Brambles Ltd. (3.0%).
2026-05-19
ASX 200 Closes at 6-Week Low
The S&P/ASX 200 plunged 126 points, or 1.45%, to end at 8,505 on Monday, marking its lowest level since April 1 and extending losses from the prior session. A tumble in U.S. stock futures pressured sentiment, after President Trump warned Iran to get moving on a peace agreement, heightening geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Weak economic data from China, Australia’s top trading partner, added to pressure, as April industrial output and retail sales growth slowed to multi-year lows, possibly due to softer fiscal support. Most sectors ended lower, led by transport, non-energy minerals, consumers, and process industries. Brambles Ltd. slipped around 19% after the logistics firm cut its annual profit growth outlook, citing repair-capacity constraints among U.S. subcontractors. Other major decliners included BHP Group, Macquarie Group, and Evolution Mining. Investors now await Australia’s flash May PMI data, the RBA meeting minutes, and April labor market figures later this week.
2026-05-18