ASX 200 Finishes Muted After Early Gains

2026-07-16 06:49 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The ASX 200 closed flat at 8,841 on Thursday, giving back early gains as strength in consumer non-durables, utilities, and consumer services offset weakness in tech and energy stocks.

Traders assessed Australia's consumer inflation expectations, which fell to a six-month low of 4.7% in July, although underlying inflation remains sticky and above the Reserve Bank's 2–3% target range.

Meanwhile, U.S.

President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet in late September, according to U.S.

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, ahead of the expiry of the current trade truce.

Separately, U.S.

stock futures inched up after softer U.S.

inflation eased expectations of an imminent Fed rate hike.

BHP Group dropped 2.2% after reporting weaker quarterly copper output.

Meantime, Rio Tinto lost 0.9%, trimming gains from the prior session.

In contrast, the big four banks advanced between 0.3% and 1.5%, while Reece (2.3%), ASX Ltd. (2.2%), and WiseTech Global (2.0%) posted notable gains.



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ASX 200 Finishes Muted After Early Gains
The ASX 200 closed flat at 8,841 on Thursday, giving back early gains as strength in consumer non-durables, utilities, and consumer services offset weakness in tech and energy stocks. Traders assessed Australia's consumer inflation expectations, which fell to a six-month low of 4.7% in July, although underlying inflation remains sticky and above the Reserve Bank's 2–3% target range. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet in late September, according to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, ahead of the expiry of the current trade truce. Separately, U.S. stock futures inched up after softer U.S. inflation eased expectations of an imminent Fed rate hike. BHP Group dropped 2.2% after reporting weaker quarterly copper output. Meantime, Rio Tinto lost 0.9%, trimming gains from the prior session. In contrast, the big four banks advanced between 0.3% and 1.5%, while Reece (2.3%), ASX Ltd. (2.2%), and WiseTech Global (2.0%) posted notable gains.
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Australia Shares Inch Higher
Australian shares edged up in early Thursday trade, with the benchmark ASX 200 hovering near 8,850 to mark a second day of gains. Firmer U.S. equity futures lifted sentiment after Wall Street closed higher overnight amid easing inflation signals and a strong start to the Q2 earnings season. Locally, Treasurer Jim Chalmers pressed regulators to adopt a more pro-growth stance to lift productivity. In Asia, China’s weakest annual GDP growth since 2022 in Q2 raised expectations of fresh stimulus, as officials noted that external risks remain elevated and demand trails supply. Utilities, healthcare, and consumer services led gains, partly tempered by weakness in consumer durables, electronic tech, and non-energy minerals. The big four banks rose between 0.2% and 1.0%, with notable gains in Seek (1.9%), ASX (1.4%), and TPG Telecom (0.7%). Traders now await inflation expectations data from the Melbourne Institute, alongside U.S. retail sales and jobless claims, for further economic cues.
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ASX 200 Closes 0.4% Higher
The ASX 200 advanced 33 points, or 0.4%, to end at 8,841 on Wednesday, its strongest finish in a week after two muted sessions. Sentiment improved as softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data eased pressure for imminent rate hikes. Meanwhile, China’s weakest annual GDP growth since 2022 in Q2 raised expectations of fresh stimulus in Australia's main trading partner, as officials cautioned that external risks remain high and demand lags supply. However, gains were capped by vigilance ahead of domestic labor market data next week. Electronic tech, commercial services, and producer manufacturing drove the gains, offset by declines in logistics, healthcare, and consumer non-durables. Heavyweights stood out: BHP rallied 3.4% ahead of Thursday’s production update, Rio Tinto rose 1.2% after topping iron ore sales forecasts, and Macquarie climbed 1.6% to a record high. In contrast, energy stocks retreated, with Woodside Energy down 1%, Santos off 0.7%, and Whitehaven Coal slipping 0.3%.
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