ASX 200 Turns Early Strength to Close Lower

2026-08-26 06:39 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The ASX 200 fell 37 points, or 0.4%, to end at 9,128 on Wednesday, reversing early gains and marking the first drop in three sessions.

Sentiment weakened as U.S.

futures were mostly lower ahead of the PCE inflation report later today and Fed Chair Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech Friday.

Locally, July headline inflation in Australia rose above forecasts on fuel and travel costs, with core inflation also surprisingly higher, raising the risk of another rate hike.

Meanwhile, construction work fell 2.1% qoq in Q2, defying expectations for growth.

Tech, communications, and energy minerals drove the losses, though strength in non-energy minerals and retail trade capped the decline.

Lynas Rare Earths tumbled 3.9% after missing profit estimates, while two of the big four banks fell between 0.1% and 1.1%.

In contrast, Evolution Mining rose 0.4% on stronger gold prices.

Woolworths surged 3.7% after reporting a profit jump and signaling that shoppers will hunt bargains amid tighter household budgets.



News Stream
ASX 200 Turns Early Strength to Close Lower
The ASX 200 fell 37 points, or 0.4%, to end at 9,128 on Wednesday, reversing early gains and marking the first drop in three sessions. Sentiment weakened as U.S. futures were mostly lower ahead of the PCE inflation report later today and Fed Chair Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech Friday. Locally, July headline inflation in Australia rose above forecasts on fuel and travel costs, with core inflation also surprisingly higher, raising the risk of another rate hike. Meanwhile, construction work fell 2.1% qoq in Q2, defying expectations for growth. Tech, communications, and energy minerals drove the losses, though strength in non-energy minerals and retail trade capped the decline. Lynas Rare Earths tumbled 3.9% after missing profit estimates, while two of the big four banks fell between 0.1% and 1.1%. In contrast, Evolution Mining rose 0.4% on stronger gold prices. Woolworths surged 3.7% after reporting a profit jump and signaling that shoppers will hunt bargains amid tighter household budgets.
2026-08-26
Australian Equities Hover at 2-Week High Ahead of Inflation Data
Australian stocks added 22 points or 0.2% to 9,186 in early deals on Wednesday, extending gains for the third session following an overnight gains on Wall Street due to a rebound in technology stocks and a fall in oil prices and Treasury yields. Markets reached their highest level in two weeks, amid buying pressure in non-energy minerals and retail trade. However, gains were capped by caution ahead of domestic data later today, including July inflation, July leading index and Q2 construction output. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank's meeting minutes for July indicated that inflation would only gradually return to target by late 2027 even as figures has eased from its March peak. Market heavyweight BHP Group climbed 1.4% while Woolworths Group (4.2%), Evolution Mining (1.6%), and Qantas Airways (1.0%) were also among top performers. In contrast, energy stocks declined, dragged by Woodside Energy (-4.3%) and Santos (-3.0%).
2026-08-26
ASX 200 Closes at More than 1-Week High
Australia's ASX 200 rose 62 points, or 0.7%, to finish at 9,165 on Tuesday, extending gains for a second session to an over one-week peak. Stronger U.S. stock futures lifted risk appetite following a mixed Wall Street close Monday, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to “sever every economic lifeline” to Iran. Traders looked ahead to Fed Chair Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech, a key U.S. inflation print, and Nvidia’s earnings. Locally, focus turned to July inflation after June’s reading eased but stayed above target, with RBA minutes stressing demand remains excessive. Most sectors advanced, led by tech, manufacturing, consumers, and healthcare. Miners drove the benchmark higher on firm commodity prices, with BHP up 0.8% and Rio Tinto 1.0%. Gold stocks gained, including Northern Star Resources (0.6%) and Evolution Mining (1.0%). The four big banks added between 0.1% and 0.8%. In contrast, PLS Group slumped 6.0%, while Woodside Energy (-1.4%) and Santos (-1.3%) also lagged.
2026-08-25