ASX 200 Ends Week 0.4% Higher After Friday Lift

Australia's ASX 200 rose 56 points, or 0.6%, to close at 8,717 on Friday, breaking a two-day slide as U.S. futures firmed after oil prices eased on President Trump’s assurance that Washington would not strike Tehran before next month’s midterms, citing “productive discussions” with Iran. Gains were led by consumer services, retail, healthcare, and utilities, offset by weakness in tech, communications, and manufacturing. Goodman Group and QBE each climbed 3.2%, while Pro Medicus (4.5%), Codan (2.7%), Transurban (2.3%), and REA Group (2.2%) also advanced strongly. However, three of the big four banks were subdued, while BHP Group slipped 0.4%. For the week, the index added 0.4%, extending prior gains. Traders now look ahead to September labor market data next week after August’s jobless rate hit its highest since 2021, alongside key releases in top trading partner China, including CPI/PPI and trade figures, as activity resumes post-Golden Week.

Australian stocks rose 36 points or 0.4% to 8,697 in Friday morning session, reversing weakness in the prior two sessions amid a modest rise in U.S. equity futures after Wall Street closed lower for the third straight day as rising Treasury yields and oil prices above $100 per barrel pressured sentiment. However, gains were capped by caution ahead of September labor market data next week after the August jobless rate in Australia hit the highest since 2021. Main trading partner China will also release key data, including CPI/PPI and trade figures as activity resumed after the Golden Week holidays. Tech, financials, and consumer shares led advances, offset by weakness in communications, manufacturing, healthcare, and industrial services. The big four banks rallied, joined by solid moves in Transurban (2.1%), QBE Insurance (2.0%), Suncorp (1.2%), and Aristocrat Leisure (1.0%). For the week, domestic markets are tracking a second consecutive gain, up about 0.2% so far.

Australia's ASX 200 fell 67 points, or 0.8%, to finish at 8,661 on Thursday, marking a second straight session of decline and nearing a one-week low. Sentiment weakened after U.S. stock futures slipped as President Donald Trump ruled out a deal with Iran, with reports suggesting the U.S. military is preparing possible strikes ahead of the midterms. Domestically, October inflation expectations climbed to a four-month high, underscoring persistent price pressures from elevated global energy costs even as the Reserve Bank continues its policy tightening. Losses were broad, led by tech, non-energy minerals, industrial services, and logistics. The four major banks each shed around 1.5%, while BHP Group dropped 2.0% and Rio Tinto slid 2.9%. Fortescue dipped 1.4% amid a standoff with China Mineral Resources Group over long-term iron ore contracts. Other notable laggards included Lottery Corp. (-3.8%), Xero (-3.0%), and Endeavor Group (-1.7%).