Australian Stocks Edge Lower as Week Begins

2026-06-22 01:08 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Australian shares inched down to around 8.819 on Monday, retreating for the third straight session.

Sentiment weakened as U.S.

stock futures slipped amid renewed uncertainty over the Middle East peace process.

President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran despite VP JD Vance holding talks with Iranian officials under an interim peace agreement.

Investors also awaited key U.S.

inflation data later this week for clues on the Fed's policy path.

Locally, attention is turning to May CPI and labor market data, which could shape expectations for the Reserve Bank's next policy move after it left interest rates unchanged last week.

Tech, mining, and energy stocks led the decline, while logistics, industrial services, and healthcare offered support.

BHP Group fell 1.3%, while two of the four major banks traded lower.

Meantime, WiseTech Global tumbled 12% after police launched a probe into its founder over alleged visa-related misconduct and exploitation claims.



News Stream
Australian Stocks Edge Lower as Week Begins
Australian shares inched down to around 8.819 on Monday, retreating for the third straight session. Sentiment weakened as U.S. stock futures slipped amid renewed uncertainty over the Middle East peace process. President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran despite VP JD Vance holding talks with Iranian officials under an interim peace agreement. Investors also awaited key U.S. inflation data later this week for clues on the Fed's policy path. Locally, attention is turning to May CPI and labor market data, which could shape expectations for the Reserve Bank's next policy move after it left interest rates unchanged last week. Tech, mining, and energy stocks led the decline, while logistics, industrial services, and healthcare offered support. BHP Group fell 1.3%, while two of the four major banks traded lower. Meantime, WiseTech Global tumbled 12% after police launched a probe into its founder over alleged visa-related misconduct and exploitation claims.
2026-06-22
ASX 200 Extends Slide But Logs Modest Weekly Rise
The ASX 200 lost 82 points or 0.9% to end at 8,829 on Friday, marking the second straight session of losses and retreating further from a two-month peak. Sentiment remained downbeat after the U.S. Fed struck a hawkish tone in its policy meeting earlier this week, raising prospects of higher U.S. interest rates later this year. Meanwhile, doubts grew over upcoming U.S.–Iran peace talks as Tehran seeks more signs of implementation of a recently signed memorandum of understanding with Washington. Non-energy minerals, commercial services, consumer durables, and industrials were among top losers. BHP Group tumbled 5.1% after flagging cost overruns at its Jansen Stage 2 potash project in Canada and booking a hefty impairment charge. Other steep laggards included Evolution Mining (-5.1%), PLS Group (-4.7%), and REA Group (-3.1%). Despite Friday’s slide, the index still advanced 0.3% for the week, its second straight weekly rise, lifted by the Reserve Bank’s pause on rate hikes.
2026-06-19
Australia Shares Retreat Further But Weekly Gain Still in Sight
Australian stocks plunged 96 points, or 1.1%, to 8,815 by midday Friday, extending the prior session’s slide and moving further away from a two-month high, as softer commodity prices weighed heavily on miners. A potentially severe El Niño later in 2026 also pressured sentiment, as it could exacerbate domestic price pressures. Meanwhile, U.S. equity futures were mixed after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rallied overnight, amid optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran deal that helped temper hawkish Fed concerns. BHP Group tumbled 3.7%, and Rio Tinto lost 3% as iron ore prices weakened, with lower energy and freight costs eroding margins amid sluggish Chinese demand. PLS Group sank 5.3%, followed by Mineral Resources (-4.3%), and Xero Ltd. (-2.5%. Three of the four big banks eased between 0.6% and 0.8%. Still, the local market is tracking a second consecutive weekly gain, up about 0.2% so far, supported by the Reserve Bank’s pause on rate hikes and easing geopolitical headwinds.
2026-06-19