ASX Rises on Energy and Gold Rally, Employment Data Supports Rates Outlook

The Australian sharemarket extended its advance on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index up 0.5% to 7800.3 by 2pm AEDT, supported by gains in energy and gold stocks.

The Australian sharemarket maintained modest gains on renewed hopes of a US-China trade deal, despite lingering global economic uncertainty. By 2pm, the S&P/ASX 200 Index had risen 0.3% to 7782.10, while the All Ordinaries added 0.2%. Financials led six of eleven sectors higher, buoyed by strong US bank earnings and resilience in consumer spending.

Investors remain cautious, awaiting key data such as China’s upcoming GDP report to gauge the impact of recent stimulus efforts.

The Australian sharemarket fell sharply on Friday, extending its weekly losses amid renewed global risk aversion following a third US tariff hike on Chinese imports this week. The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.3% or 97.8 points to 7611.8 by 2:15pm, erasing much of Thursday’s five-year record rally. The benchmark is down 0.8% for the week and 4% since the start of April. The All Ordinaries lost 1.2%, with 10 of 11 sectors in negative territory, led by energy.

The Australian sharemarket is set to record its strongest session in five years, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 4.5% to 7708.9 points by mid-afternoon, buoyed by a sharp overnight rally on Wall Street. US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause reciprocal tariffs for 90 days on over 75 countries sparked a risk-on rebound, lifting sentiment across global markets.

The Australian sharemarket extended its sell-off on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index falling 146.6 points, or 2%, to 7363.4 by 2:30pm AEST. The decline follows renewed global trade tensions after the White House raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 104%, triggering fears of a broader economic slowdown. All 11 ASX sectors traded lower, with heavy losses in energy and mining stocks amid falling commodity prices.