ASX 200 Finishes in the Red

2026-08-12 06:40 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The ASX 200 fell 41 points, or 0.45%, to close at 9,209 on Wednesday, erasing the prior session’s modest gains as sharp losses in manufacturing, consumer non-durables, healthcare, and retail trade dragged the index to its weakest level in a week.

Sentiment soured after the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate steady at 4.35% on Tuesday but warned further tightening could follow if inflation lingers.

Wall Street’s overnight slump added pressure, with escalating Middle East tensions and renewed attacks near key shipping routes stoking energy supply fears.

Commonwealth Bank slipped 0.7% after reporting record annual cash earnings but flagged a sharp slowdown in mortgage demand post-tax changes.

Rio Tinto eased 0.2% even as it secured government support to offset soaring energy costs.

ASX tumbled 2.8% after a shareholder moved to file a Federal Court application against the bourse operator.

Bucking the trend, AGL Energy surged 6.0% on stronger-than-expected 2027 earnings guidance.



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ASX 200 Finishes in the Red
The ASX 200 fell 41 points, or 0.45%, to close at 9,209 on Wednesday, erasing the prior session’s modest gains as sharp losses in manufacturing, consumer non-durables, healthcare, and retail trade dragged the index to its weakest level in a week. Sentiment soured after the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate steady at 4.35% on Tuesday but warned further tightening could follow if inflation lingers. Wall Street’s overnight slump added pressure, with escalating Middle East tensions and renewed attacks near key shipping routes stoking energy supply fears. Commonwealth Bank slipped 0.7% after reporting record annual cash earnings but flagged a sharp slowdown in mortgage demand post-tax changes. Rio Tinto eased 0.2% even as it secured government support to offset soaring energy costs. ASX tumbled 2.8% after a shareholder moved to file a Federal Court application against the bourse operator. Bucking the trend, AGL Energy surged 6.0% on stronger-than-expected 2027 earnings guidance.
2026-08-12
Australian Market Tracks Wall Street Losses
Australian equities retreated Wednesday, with the benchmark slipping 40 points or 0.5% to 9,207 in morning trade, erasing the prior day’s modest uptick after Wall Street’s overnight weakness and stalled Strait of Hormuz talks lifted oil prices ahead of key inflation data. Locally, the Reserve Bank kept the cash rate steady at 4.35% after three hikes this year, stressing inflation remains uncomfortably high and expectations elevated. Sectoral weakness was led by tech services, manufacturing, consumer services, and retail, though consumer durables and logistics offered partial support. The four major banks eased between 0.1% and 0.7%, while notable laggards included BHP Group (-0.5%), South32 (-2.7%), Computershare (-2.0%), and Bluescope Steel (-1.8%). Market focus now shifts to testimony from Governor Michele Bullock before parliament on Friday, preceded by Assistant Governor Chris Kent’s appearance Thursday, as investors weigh policy signals against persistent inflationary pressures.
2026-08-12
ASX 200 Inches Higher at Finish
Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 18 points, or 0.2%, to close at 9,251 on Tuesday, snapping a two-day losing streak. Sentiment improved after the Reserve Bank of Australia unanimously held cash rates at 4.35%, as expected, while reiterating its vigilance against entrenched inflation with earlier three hikes still filtering through the economy. Traders largely brushed aside July’s weak business confidence, which remains well below pre-conflict levels seen in February before the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. They also looked beyond a notable drop in U.S. futures following a subdued session on Wall Street Monday, ahead of Wednesday’s inflation data. Gains in energy minerals, healthcare, technology, and consumer durables outweighed declines in logistics and retail. BHP Group rose 0.7%, and Rio Tinto added 0.5%, while Woodside Energy surged 3.8% and Santos jumped 5.4%. Austral soared 17.5% after South Korea’s Hanwha offered to acquire its U.S. shipbuilding arm for up to USD 1.2 billion.
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