ASX 200 Muted at Finish

The ASX 200 closed little changed at 8,724 on Thursday after trading lower in early deals, with gains in consumer services, healthcare, and financials countered by losses in retail trade, logistics, and energy minerals. Traders weighed Australia’s May trade data, which unexpectedly showed a deficit as exports fell while imports rose. Markets also pared back expectations for further rate hikes in Australia as easing inflation risks followed the de-escalation of Middle East tensions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures were mainly lower after a weak lead from Wall Street Wednesday, ahead of the key nonfarm payrolls release. Northern Star Resources jumped 5.3% after naming a new CEO and posting preliminary annual gold sales that met revised guidance. Meanwhile, the four big banks rose between 0.4% and 3.5%. On the downside, laggards included SGH Ltd. (-4.6%), Westfarmers Ltd. (-4.4%), Reece Ltd. (-3.3%), and Coles (-1.8%).

Australian shares slid 41 points, or 0.5%, to 8,680 in early trade on Thursday, marking a third straight decline and touching their lowest in nearly three weeks. Sentiment soured after Wall Street opened July on a weak footing overnight, as investors trimmed chipmaker holdings. Locally, caution built ahead of May trade data due later in the day, after April exports outpaced imports and delivered a modest surplus. Meanwhile, building permits fell more than expected in May. Simultaneously, industry conditions remained deeply contracted in June despite a slight improvement, weighed by higher costs and lingering uncertainty. Logistics, retail, energy minerals, and manufacturing led declines, though gains in consumer services, healthcare, and tech services helped cushion the fall. Heavyweights BHP Group slipped 1.4%, Westfarmers dropped 3.1%, Goodman Group fell 2.1%, Woodside Energy lost 1.8%, and Santos shed 2.0%. In contrast, three of four big banks gained

Australia's ASX 200 dipped 56 points or 0.6% to finish at 8,723 on Wednesday, the first day of the new financial year. Markets extended declines from the day before amid a sharp drop in U.S. stock futures following strong gains on Wall Street during H1 of 2026, supported by a continued surge in chip stocks. Caution lingered ahead of May trade data, due Thursday, after April exports outpaced imports to deliver a modest surplus. Meanwhile, building permits dropped for a third month in May, marking the fourth contraction this year. In its June meeting minutes, the central bank signalled further tightening remains possible after three hikes since January, citing rising Q2 cost pressures. Most sectors fell, led by commercial services, financials, logistics, and consumer names. The big four banks lost 1.5%–2.5%, while Greatland Resources (-4.7%), Coles Group (-4.2%), and Xero (-2.8%) slipped. In contrast, South32 surged 9.7% after agreeing to sell most of its aluminium assets to Alcoa.