ASX 200 Rises 0.6% at Finish

The ASX 200 advanced 49 points or 0.6% to close at 8,736 on Tuesday, marking a third straight gain as stronger U.S. stock futures offset pressure from rising Treasury yields. Traders also digested fresh U.S. economic data while awaiting minutes from the Fed’s September meeting. Locally, sentiment was lifted by Australia's job ads rising for a fifth month last month, underscoring resilient labour demand despite the RBA’s rate hikes. However, the upside was limited by consumer confidence falling for a second month in October, reflecting higher fuel and borrowing costs. Commercial services, healthcare, and financials led the advance, with heavyweight BHP Group up 1.5%, while Rio Tinto added 1.4%. In the meantime, the big four banks added between 0.1% and 0.9%. In contrast, Codan Ltd. fell 4.7%, while tech lagged with Wisetech Global down 2.9%, Nextdc off 2.5%, and Technology One slipping 1.9%. Investors now look to September industry updates and final August building permits.

Australian equities rose 39 points, or 0.4%, to 8,725 in Tuesday morning trade, marking a third straight gain after Wall Street closed higher overnight on AI optimism and buyout activity, even as Treasury yields hovered near 5.31%. Locally, the Melbourne Institute’s September Inflation Gauge added 0.3% mom, marking the smallest rise in three months and suggesting tighter policy is cooling price pressures though risks remain. Commercial services led advances, with consumer non-durables, consumer services, and healthcare also firm. Gains were tempered, however, as October consumer sentiment in Australia stayed in negative territory, though the pace of decline eased despite higher fuel and borrowing costs. Standout movers included PLS Group (4.4%), Bluescope Steel (2.4%), Capricorn Metals (2.6%), and Scentre Group (2.1%). Traders now look to September job ads data later today, while Chinese markets return Thursday after the Golden Week holiday.

The ASX 200 ended little changed at 8,686 on Monday, as gains in electronic technology, consumer durables, and industrial services were offset by weakness in non-durables, utilities, and retail trade. Early strength faded as U.S. stock futures slipped, with elevated Treasury yields weighing on sentiment ahead of Fed minutes later in the week. Locally, the Melbourne Institute’s Monthly Inflation Gauge rose 0.3% mom in September, marking the smallest increase in three months and suggesting tighter policy is curbing pressures even as inflation risks linger. Meantime, several states in Australia, including New South Wales and Queensland, observed a holiday. Heavyweights BHP Group rose 1.1%, and Rio Tinto added 0.7%. Meantime, Cochlear jumped 4.2%, while Atlas Arteria rose 2.9%. On the downside, Lynas Rare Earths fell 2.5%, followed by Wisetech Global (-2.1%) and Ampol (-1.6%). The big four banks closed mixed. Traders now await October consumer sentiment and September industry updates.