Australian Shares Fall for 6th Session

2026-08-19 00:58 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Australian equities slipped 28 points, or 0.3%, to 9,042 in early trade on Wednesday, down for the sixth session and notching a two-week low.

Sluggish U.S.

stock futures weighed on sentiment after a losing session on Wall Street overnight amid a global bond rout and higher oil prices.

Caution also grew ahead of the release of local data, including the Q2 wage price index later today and July labor data due Thursday.

Consumer durables, financials, and logistics weighed on the ASX 200, though strength in healthcare, energy minerals, and tech capped declines.

The four big banks retreated between 0.6% and 2.3%, reflecting drags from sharp declines in home-loan applications following May’s tax changes.

Other major laggards included Goodman Group (-4.4%), Northern Star Resources (-1.5%), and Evolution Mining (-1.1%).

In contrast, CSL (4.0%), Santos (23%), and Woodside Energy (0.9%) advanced.

Traders now anticipate a speech by the Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser later in the day.



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Australian Shares Fall for 6th Session
Australian equities slipped 28 points, or 0.3%, to 9,042 in early trade on Wednesday, down for the sixth session and notching a two-week low. Sluggish U.S. stock futures weighed on sentiment after a losing session on Wall Street overnight amid a global bond rout and higher oil prices. Caution also grew ahead of the release of local data, including the Q2 wage price index later today and July labor data due Thursday. Consumer durables, financials, and logistics weighed on the ASX 200, though strength in healthcare, energy minerals, and tech capped declines. The four big banks retreated between 0.6% and 2.3%, reflecting drags from sharp declines in home-loan applications following May’s tax changes. Other major laggards included Goodman Group (-4.4%), Northern Star Resources (-1.5%), and Evolution Mining (-1.1%). In contrast, CSL (4.0%), Santos (23%), and Woodside Energy (0.9%) advanced. Traders now anticipate a speech by the Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser later in the day.
2026-08-19
ASX 200 Ends Muted as CSL Rally Counter Bank Losses
Australia’s ASX 200 closed nearly flat at 9,070 on Tuesday, halting a four-day slide after hitting a two-week low. Bargain hunters stepped in, while sentiment steadied as August consumer confidence improved, with mortgage holders less anxious about further rate hikes. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures softened amid stalled U.S.–Iran peace talks. In China, July data showed slowing momentum with weaker spending and rising unemployment in Australia's top trading partner. Gains in healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer durables were offset by weakness in tech, consumer non-durables, and commercial services. BHP rose 3% after beating profit forecasts and declaring its highest dividend in four years. CSL surged almost 18% on strong 2027 growth guidance, its best session since 2001. Energy stocks Woodside (1.1%) and Santos (1.2%) gained on firmer oil prices. In contrast, the big four banks slipped 0.3%–1.3% after reporting sharp declines in home-loan applications following May’s tax changes.
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Australia Stocks Rise After Recent Declines
Australian shares rose 25 points or 0.3% to 9,098 on Tuesday morning, reversing weakness in the prior four sessions. Bargain hunters entered after markets hit a two-week low, picking selective stocks in healthcare, manufacturing, non-energy minerals, and consumer non-durables. Sentiment also improved after August consumer sentiment hit a nine-month peak as mortgage holders became less concerned about further interest rate increases. However, gains were capped by losses on Wall Street overnight as oil prices spiked, stoking inflation concerns, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In top trading partner China, July activity data showed the economy lost momentum as consumer spending stalled and urban investment contracted at a faster pace while unemployment ticked higher. Heavyweight BHP Group jumped 3.3% while other movers included Pro Medicus (13.1%), Cochlear Ltd. (6.0%), and JB Hi-Fi (1.5%). In contrast, the four big banks fell between 0.5% and 1.4%.
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