ASX 200 Secures 3rd Weekly Gain Despite Friday's Dip

The ASX 200 slipped 19 points, or 0.2%, to close at 8,954 on Friday, reversing gains from the prior three sessions as U.S. stock futures weakened and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz kept investors cautious ahead of Pakistan-mediated U.S.–Iran talks scheduled for Saturday. Concerns over rising costs also weighed, with Australia’s monthly inflation gauge hitting a record 1.3% in March, reflecting renewed price pressures since late 2025. In the main trading partner China, March inflation came in softer than expected, though producer prices rose for the first time in nearly three years. Sector losses were led by process industries, followed by consumer durables, logistics, and healthcare. Notable decliners included Evolution Mining (-2.7%), Wisetech Global (-2.6%), Transurban Group (-1.9%), and Fortescue (-1.3%). Despite Friday’s retreat, the local market booked its third straight weekly gain, up 4.4%, lifted by extended bargain hunting after the benchmark recently hit a four-month low.

Australian stocks slipped 37 points, or 0.4%, to 8,936 in Friday’s morning session, halting a three-day gain as U.S. equity futures weakened amid a fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran that kept investors cautious. Sentiment was further restrained ahead of CPI and PPI releases in top trading partner China later today. Concerns about cost pressures also emerged, as the monthly inflation gauge hit a record high of 1.3% in March, on renewed price pressures since H2 2025. Meanwhile, Australia’s consumer and business confidence data, along with March labor figures, will be due next week. Most sectors traded lower, dragged by transport, energy minerals, and healthcare. Major decliners included Transurban Group (-4.0%), Wisetech Global (-3.4%), Evolution Mining (-3.0%), and Brambles Ltd. (-1.9%). Despite the pullback, the ASX 200 remains on track for a third consecutive weekly gain, up about 4% so far, supported by bargain hunting after the index recently hit a four-month low.

The ASX 200 edged up 21 points, or 0.2%, to close at 8,973 on Thursday, reversing morning weakness and notching a third consecutive gain. Traders largely brushed aside a modest dip in U.S. futures while weighing whether the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran would hold. Attention turned to upcoming U.S. personal spending and PCE deflator data. Investors also await CPI and PPI reports in top trading partner China, due Friday. Energy minerals, financials, and utilities were mainly higher, offsetting steep losses in tech services, healthcare, and consumer stocks. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank surged 8.7% after delivering solid Q3 results and unveiling two outsourcing partnerships aimed at reshaping costs and technology over seven years. The rally underscored confidence in its agenda to narrow profitability gaps with the major lenders. The “big four” banks rose between 1.1% and 2.2%, while Woodside Energy (4.0%), Ampol (3.5%), and Santos (2.5%) were other notable movers.