ASX 200 Ends Lower for a Sixth Straight Session

The S&P/ASX 200 fell 56 points, or 0.6%, to close at 8,711 on Tuesday, marking a sixth consecutive session of losses and its lowest in near three weeks. Sentiment remained cautious ahead of Australia’s March CPI report due Wednesday, with markets expecting inflation around 4.7%, potentially the highest since the monthly series began in April 2025, on persistent cost pressures that have built since mid-2025. Investors also stayed on the sidelines before the Reserve Bank’s policy review next week. Globally, U.S. stock futures were mixed as the Fed kicks off its two-day meeting later today, while uncertainty over the Middle East conflict added another layer of caution, with traders assessing its potential impact on interest rate outlook. Losses were broad-based, led by non-energy minerals, consumer services, and retail. Aristocrat Leisure dipped 4.2%, followed by Origin Energy (-4.1%), Evolution Mining (-3.1%), and Genesis Minerals (-2.5%). Two of the four major banks also ended lower.

Australian shares fell 57 points, or 0.7%, to 8,709 in Tuesday morning trade, marking a sixth straight decline and the lowest level in three weeks. Sentiment remained cautious ahead of March inflation data due Wednesday, with markets expecting a reading of around 4.7%, potentially the highest since the report began in April 2025, amid persistent price pressures since H2 of 2025 and outside the Reserve Bank’s 2–3% target range. Traders also looked ahead to the central bank’s policy meeting next week, as economists widely anticipate another rate hike. Still, losses were capped by a modest rise in U.S. stock futures after record closes on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Monday, as markets monitored developments in U.S.–Iran negotiations. All sectors in the ASX 200 fell, led by consumer non-durables, non-energy minerals, retail trade, and healthcare. Among notable laggards were Origin Energy (-5.5%), Ramelius Resources (-2.3%), and BHP Group (-1.0%). Three of the four major banks also traded lower.

The S&P/ASX 200 inched down 20 points, or 0.2%, to close at 8,766 on Monday, marking a fifth straight decline and hovering near a two-week low. Sentiment was weighed by weaker U.S. futures and caution over renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which lifted oil prices. Focus also turns to the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Wednesday, which would mark Jerome Powell’s final meeting before Kevin Warsh is expected to assume the chair in May. Locally, March inflation data in Australia due later this week has stoked concern over persistent price pressures after February’s reading exceeded the RBA’s 2–3% target. Still, early losses eased after data from top trading partner China showed robust growth in industrial profits for March and Q1. Energy minerals led declines, followed by communications, logistics, and industrial services. Major laggards included Origin Energy (-5.0%), Wisetech Global (-3.2%), Endeavor Group (-2.6%), and Ampol (-1.1%).