ASX 200 Slips to Two-Week Low at Finish

2026-04-22 06:47 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The S&P/ASX 200 fell 106 points, or 1.2%, to end at 8,844, marking a two-week low after days of weak momentum.

A sharp rise in U.S.

futures failed to lift sentiment, with traders largely dismissing President Trump’s pledge to extend the Iran ceasefire indefinitely.

Concerns over Australia's inflation mounted as high rates and surging fuel costs tied to the Middle East conflict weighed on growth prospects.

Westpac forecasts the RBA will raise the cash rate by another 25bps in May, with further hikes likely.

Losses were led by healthcare, financials, commercial services, and logistics, though gains in consumer non-durables, utilities, and industrial services capped declines.

Cochlear plunged near 41%, its worst day since listing in 1995, after slashing profit guidance on weak U.S.

demand and geopolitical risks.

Four big banks dropped between 2.0–2.5%, while other major laggards included CSL Ltd.(-5.7%), Evolution Mining (-2.9%), Qantas Airways (-2.3%), and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. (-1.3%).



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