Australian shares edged higher at midday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index rising 0.3% (24.7 points) to 8248.7, buoyed by gains across 10 of 11 sectors. Utilities led, with APA Group advancing 3.2% after reiterating its FY2025 EBITDA guidance, supported by a Q1 revenue increase to $256.4 million from $237.6 million.
A rally in technology and major banks lifted the Australian sharemarket, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index rising 0.2% (14.1 points) to 8207.5. Gains in six of eleven sectors were led by a 5.9% surge in Xero, which reported a 51% rise in EBITDA to $311.7 million and a 76% increase in net profit to $95 million for the half-year. Major banks were all in the green, with Commonwealth Bank up 1.3%.
Australian shares pared early losses on Wednesday as the post-US election rally in global equities hit resistance. The S&P/ASX 200 was down 72 points, or 0.9%, at 8183, having fallen as much as 1.4% earlier. Financials led declines, sliding 1.9% amid market shifts pushing the RBA’s anticipated rate cut to September 2025. Commonwealth Bank dropped 1.6%, Westpac 1.8%, NAB 2.2%, and ANZ 4.6% as it traded ex-dividend.
The S&P/ASX 200 is down 0.6% or 47 points at 8218 near midday AEDT, extending Monday’s 0.4% decline. Mining stocks dropped 2%, with BHP down 2.1% to $40.77 after iron ore prices slipped 1.7% to around $US100 per tonne. Gold miners faced sharp losses as spot gold fell 2.3% to $US2622.62, prompting a sell-off in West African Resources, Emerald Resources, and Bellevue Gold, each down over 5%. Energy stocks also declined by 1%.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4% (36.3 points) to 8258.8 by midday, pressured by China’s underwhelming stimulus measures, which impacted already weakened mining and energy stocks. This dip followed last week’s 2.2% rally, spurred by a Wall Street surge after Donald Trump’s decisive election win.
Australian shares rose midday, tracking US gains as global rate cuts and expectations of Chinese stimulus supported markets. The S&P/ASX 200 is up 0.9% at 8298.5 points, with tech stocks leading a broad advance.
Australian shares fell on Thursday, led by a 2% drop in the real estate sector, as concerns about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff policies and inflationary measures overshadowed Wall Street’s post-election rally. The S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.5%, or 38.2 points, to 8161.3, after a 0.8% gain the previous day. The decline was driven by weakness in rate-sensitive sectors, with major banks and mining stocks under pressure. Real estate stocks like Goodman Group and Stockland fell over 3%, while big banks, including National Australia Bank (-3%) and Westpac (-3.4%), posted losses following profit reports.
Australian shares rallied on Wednesday afternoon, tracking a strong lead from Wall Street. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 0.9%, or 76 points, to 8207.8 by 2:21 PM AEDT, with all 11 sectors in the green. The consumer discretionary sector led gains, rising 1.4%, with Wesfarmers up 1.6% and JB Hi-Fi adding 2.4%. All major banks posted gains, with National Australia Bank leading at 1.2%.
Australian shares slipped as voting in the pivotal US presidential election commenced, widely seen as the year’s most significant market event. The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 32.8 points, or 0.4%, to close at 8131.8. This followed declines in US equities, a rise in Treasuries, and a dip in the dollar amid indications that Kamala Harris was leading in a key battleground state, unsettling bets on a Trump comeback.
The Australian sharemarket saw early afternoon gains, following a positive Wall Street lead, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.6% (47.7 points) to 8166.5 after a 1.1% decline last week—its worst since August. Tech and utilities led sector gains, while mining and energy fell amid a volatile outlook as investors prepared for US elections, corporate earnings, and central bank meetings.
Australian shares fell to a seven-week low on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.9% or 75 points to 8085 by early afternoon, after declines earlier this week. Financials led the downturn as Macquarie Group dropped 4.3%, hitting a one-month low due to disappointing first-half FY25 profits and a dividend cut. The big four banks all declined over 1%, with National Australia Bank down 2.2%.
Mineral Resources (MinRes) has agreed to sell its oil and gas assets in the Perth Basin to Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting in a $1.1 billion deal.
