Australian Stocks Open Slightly Higher

The S&P/ASX 200 finished nearly flat at 9,022 on Tuesday, holding losses from the previous session as investors turned cautious ahead of key inflation data and concerns over latest US tariff threats. President Trump warned countries against retreating from recently negotiated trade deals, following a US court decision striking down his emergency tariffs. In Australia, Wednesday’s consumer price data will be closely watched for hawkish signals that may risk another rate hike. Rate-sensitive financials fell 0.3%, weighed down by a 3.6% drop in Macquarie Group amid rising concerns that a higher-for-longer interest rate environment could dampen lending growth. Additionally, local software stocks followed Wall Street’s overnight sell-off amid renewed AI jitters, while real estate slipped 1.2%. In contrast, heavyweight miners surged 1.1% to an all-time peak, while oil and gas producer Woodside Energy climbed 2.4% to an over 18-month high after beating full-year profit estimates.

The S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1% to around 9,040 in Tuesday morning trade, snapping a two-session losing streak as gains in gold stocks outweighed declines in technology shares. Gold miner Northern Star led the charge, jumping nearly 4.5%, while Evolution Mining rose 3.8%, supported by stronger bullion prices as investors sought safe-haven assets amid escalating trade uncertainty. US President Donald Trump said any country that “plays games” with a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down his imposed tariffs would face higher duties. The broader mining sub-index also advanced, with heavyweight BHP Group and Rio Tinto climbing 1.9% and 1.1%, respectively. Additionally, oil and gas producer Woodside Energy gained 1.9%, after beating full-year profit estimates. On the downside, technology stocks tracked their Wall Street peers lower, as AI-driven disruption prompted traders to offload shares seen as vulnerable to displacement. Wisetech Global and Xero fell more than 2% each.

The S&P/ASX 200 finished 0.6% lower at 9,026 on Monday, extending losses from the previous session, as declines in technology, real estate, and energy stocks dragged the market down. Investors grappled with renewed trade uncertainty after US President Donald Trump unveiled a 15% tariff on global imports following a Supreme Court decision that struck down his earlier sweeping tariffs. Technology stocks dropped nearly 5%, while real estate and energy firms slid 2.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Sector heavyweight Woodside Energy slipped 1% ahead of its annual results, and fuel retailer Ampol dropped almost 3% despite posting stronger-than-expected full-year profit. Biotech giant CSL and winemaker Treasury Wine Estates also fell over 3.5% each, as both companies generate roughly 40–50% of their revenue from the US. In contrast, the mining sector advanced, helped by a 4% gain in gold miners on the back of higher bullion. Evolution Mining and Northern Star each climbed around 3.5%.