811 stories mentioning S&P/ASX 200Updated just now
Australian shares traded mixed, with energy stocks like Woodside advancing while consumer discretionary names slipped amid softening consumer confidence.
Financial stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Thursday.The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) gained almost 2% in recent trade.Meanwhile, the energy sector struggled, shedding 2%.Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) shares fell almost 2% in recent trade.
Australia's job ads rose 0.5% month on month in August, marking the first increase in more than a year and offering early signs of stabilization in the labor market, although they remained 4.5% below the level a year earlier, online employment marketplace Seek said on Thursday.Applications per job ad rose 0.4% in August and 1.7% year on year, reaching peak levels and highlighting continued strong competition among jobseekers.Victoria recorded the strongest monthly increase in job advertisements at 1.1%, followed by Tasmania and New South Wales, while Western Australia was the only state to record annual growth, rising 1.8% year on year.Hospitality and tourism recorded the strongest monthly growth at 3.6%, while engineering roles saw the most consistent year-on-year growth at over 14%, followed by the mining, resources and energy, and construction sectors.Demand for artificial intelligence-related skills continued to rise, featuring in 2.3% of Australian job ads and 3% of New South Wales ads, with agentic AI emerging as one of the fastest-growing skill areas, per the report.
Advertised salaries in Australia recorded a 0.3% month-on-month increase in August, softening slightly after accelerating a little in June and July, according to the SEEK Advertised Salary Index released on Wednesday.Annual advertised salary growth was at 4.2% year-over-year in the month and 1% quarter-over-quarter. Annual advertised salary growth had been on an upward trajectory since August 2025."Despite the growth in advertized salaries, the job switching rate declined between 2025 and 2026, suggesting that workers may be hesitant to change jobs in the current environment," SEEK Chief Economist, Blair Chapman, said.Annual advertised salary growth in August outpaced July's headline inflation of 3.5%, Chapman added.
Australian shares are poised to fall on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and signaled further hikes, sending US Treasury yields higher and the dollar broadly stronger as policymakers warned that inflation remained elevated.Oil prices also declined after Saudi Arabia offered additional crude cargoes through Oman and US inventories fell by less than expected, easing concerns over supply disruptions.Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5% and 1.2%, respectively, while the Nasdaq Composite was broadly flat, with a slight negative bias.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing Australia's labor force report next week.In corporate news, MA Financial Group (ASX:MAF) acquired a 50% interest in Melbourne's Glen Shopping Center for AU$327.5 million through a managed fund, taking its retail property transactions to AU$500 million in the second half.Transurban Group's (ASX:TCL) traffic increased 3.4% in August from a year earlier, decelerating from the 4% growth rate logged in July.Australia's benchmark index rose 0.3%, or 24 points, to close at 8,696.50 on Wednesday.
Australian shares closed higher on Wednesday, despite losses continuing on Wall Street.The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.28%, or 24 points, to close at 8,696.50.Brent crude oil futures traded around $108 per barrel.Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, 0.8%, and 0.6%, respectively.On the domestic front, the six-month annualized growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index narrowed to negative 0.09% in August from negative 0.17% in July.Housing resale profits in Australia retreated in the June quarter, with 95.4% of residential resales yielding a nominal profit, down from a 21-year high of 96.1% in March, according to a Cotality report.In company news, James Hardie Industries (ASX:JHX) reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 guidance excluding Europe, with total net sales of AU$4.99 billion to AU$5.13 billion. The company also reaffirmed total adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of AU$1.45 billion to AU$1.53 billion and free cash flow of more than AU$600 million.Infratil (ASX:IFT, NZE:IFT) increased its fiscal 2027 proportionate operational earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization, and fair value adjustments (EBITDAF) guidance to between NZ$1.32 billion and NZ$1.42 billion from a prior range of NZ$1.3 billion to NZ$1.4 billion after CDC Data Centres' increase in its EBITDAF guidance.Lastly, Pengana International Equities (ASX:PIA) settled with Pengana Capital Group (ASX:PCG) and Pengana Capital, resolving the Supreme Court proceedings and providing a way to end Pengana Capital Group's Takeovers Panel application.
Energy stocks advanced nearly 3% at midday Wednesday.Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) gained more than 3% in recent trade.Meanwhile, the consumer staples sector struggled, shedding nearly 1%.Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) shares fell almost 1% in recent trade.
The six-month annualized growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index narrowed to negative 0.09% in August from negative 0.17% in July, according to a report on Wednesday.The index indicates the likely pace of economic activity relative to trend three to nine months into the future.Momentum has continued to improve and is only slightly below trend heading into later in the year and early 2027, Westpac Head of Australian Macro-Forecasting Matthew Hassan said.The June quarter national accounts showed the Australian economy holding up better than expected amid a global energy shock and higher interest rates, with growth stabilizing at a slow pace.Westpac now expects annual growth to slow 1.5% by the end of the year, up from its previous forecast of 1%, Hassan said.The growth pulse remains soft, with the leading index growth rate averaging negative 0.17% since the start of the year, which is milder than the negative 0.46% average during the cost-of-living crisis from 2022 to 2024.Rising fuel prices and potential interest rate hikes seem to be negatively affecting consumer sentiment, with indications that the downturn in established housing markets is also having an impact. These effects might worsen in the near term and could extend to other components.
Housing resale profits in Australia retreated in the June quarter, with 95.4% of residential resales yielding a nominal profit, down from a 21-year high of 96.1% in March, according to a Cotality report published Wednesday.The median gain also eased to AU$371,000 from a record AU$378,000 in March, while the median loss increased to AU$45,000 from AU$44,000, per the report."Profitability is still exceptionally high by historical standards, but we are starting to see the impact of weaker housing market conditions flow through to resale outcomes," said Cotality Head of Research Gerard Burg."Most sellers are still benefiting from the significant value growth accumulated over the past five years, which is providing considerable protection against the early stages of the downturn," Burg said, adding that this buffer will be key in determining resale outcomes amid declining home values.Houses retained a major advantage over units, as 97.8% of house sales delivered a gain in the June quarter versus 90.5% of units. Loss-producing unit sales were heavily concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, which together comprised 83.3% of the value of unit resale losses in Australia, Cotality said.Meanwhile, Brisbane maintained its standing as Australia's most profitable capital city, with 99.8% of resales delivering a gain and sellers taking a median profit of AU$525,000.
Australian shares are poised to rise on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street as oil prices surged after disruptions to Saudi Arabia's crude exports heightened concerns over prolonged supply shortages and pushed Brent above $108 a barrel.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, 0.8%, and 0.6%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing the Westpac-Melbourne Leading Index report.In corporate news, Equus Energy (ASX:EQU) secured Alcoa's (ASX:AAI) approval to advance its Equus Gas Project to stage two, unlocking a further $1.5 million in funding to support partnering and commercialization activities.Reliance Worldwide (ASX:RWC) entered into a binding scheme implementation deed with Brookfield for the acquisition of 100% of its shares at $3.38 each.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.9%, or 77.4 points, to close at 8,672.50 on Tuesday.
Australian shares closed lower on Tuesday, tracking losses on Wall Street as the prospect of a rate hike in the US loomed.The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell by 0.88%, or 77.40 points, to close at 8,672.50, reaching its lowest level since June.Brent crude oil futures climbed around 1% to trade over $107 per barrel after Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline was shut down after attacks. The country warned the attacks could disrupt as much as 4% of global oil supply.Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.3%, respectively. The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to deliver a rate hike this week.On the domestic front, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 2 points to 73.9 in the week of Sept. 7 to Sept. 13, ANZ reported. The four-week moving average fell 0.6 points to 74.6.Australia's total spending rose 1.1% in August due to higher essential costs rather than heightened demand, according to NAB's Consumer Spend Trend. Total spending climbed 8.7% over the year, while monthly growth was 0.6%, excluding fuel.In company news, White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN) said Hancock Prospecting agreed to acquire a 13.5% stake in the company through the purchase of about 515.8 million new shares at AU$0.017 each, representing a total investment of roughly AU$8.8 million. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart is the executive chair of Hancock Prospecting.Mayne Pharma Group (ASX:MYX) has entered into an exclusive five-year agreement with Italfarmaco to register, market and distribute Blissel, an ultra-low-dose vaginal gel for menopause-related vaginal atrophy, in Australia.Nickel Industries (ASX:NIC) said the ramp-up of its Excelsior Nickel Cobalt HPAL project in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia has been interrupted by dry conditions that have constrained water supply to the operation.
Information technology stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Tuesday.Xero (ASX:XRO) gained almost 3% in recent trade.On the flip side, the materials sector struggled, shedding nearly 2%.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) shares fell 2% in recent trade.
Australia's total spending rose 1.1% in August due to higher essential costs rather than heightened demand, according to NAB's Consumer Spend Trend released on Tuesday.Total spending climbed 8.7% over the year, while monthly growth was 0.6%, excluding fuel.The report pointed to increasing pressure on households, with the end of the temporary fuel excise discount, combined with higher fuel prices, NAB Head of Australian Economics Gareth Spence said.Non-discretionary spending was up 2.2% in August, driven by a 12% jump in fuel and a 3.2% rise in utilities and telecoms.Meanwhile, discretionary spending was still growing, but momentum had slowed, Spence said.Discretionary spending rose 0.4%, with household goods broadly flat and personal goods down 0.2%.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 2 points to 73.9 in the week of Sept. 7 to Sept. 13, ANZ reported Tuesday.The four-week moving average fell 0.6 points to 74.6, per the report.Australian consumer confidence improved last week but remained well below the neutral level, as concerns over household finances, inflation, higher interest rates and global uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment, according to ANZ economist Sophia Angala.Rising concern over further Reserve Bank of Australia rate hikes weighed on mortgage-holder confidence last week, even as confidence improved among outright homeowners and renters, Angala added.Weekly inflation expectations fell to 5.9% from 6.3%, while the current financial condition indicator for 12 months rose 6 points to 66.5. The future financial conditions for the next 12 months increased to 83.4 points from 81.Short-term economic confidence for the next year rose 0.9 points to 66.6, while medium-term economic confidence for the next five years increased to 77.6 points from 77.4.The "time to buy a major household item" subcategory rose 0.4 points to 75.5.
Australian shares are poised to fall on Tuesday, tracking overnight weakness in global markets as gold prices slid to a more than one-month low on expectations of higher US interest rates, while surging oil prices added to inflation concerns.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.3%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 2 points to 73.9 in the week of Sept. 7 to Sept. 13, ANZ reported Tuesday.In corporate news, New Hope (ASX:NHC) reported Tuesday fiscal 2026 earnings of AU$0.19 per share on revenue of AU$1.77 billion, compared with earnings of AU$0.50 on revenue of AU$1.78 billion a year earlier.Netwealth Group (ASX:NWL) agreed to acquire 100% of Australian artificial intelligence-enabled adviser workflow and advice automation provider Scale Up Platform Solutions, trading as Paradino, for upfront consideration of AU$20 million.Australia's benchmark index was little changed to close at 8,749.90 on Monday.
Australian shares were flat on Monday, as spiking oil prices stoked inflation fears.The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8,749.90.Brent crude oil futures rose again to trade over $107 per barrel, amid fresh strikes on Saudi Arabia and on ships in the Persian Gulf, which came after a key Saudi oil pipeline was attacked.On the domestic front, Australia's consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise 0.4% in August from the previous month, which would increase the annual pace of inflation to 4% from 3.5% in July, Westpac said.In company news, FleetPartners Group (ASX:FPR) said it received three revised acquisition proposals, including a AU$4.55 per share offer from SG Fleet Topco, AU$4.65 per share from Orix, and AU$4.65 per share from the Sumitomo consortium.HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX:HCW) said the requisite support has been obtained from Healthscope's lenders for the transfer of 10 Healthscope hospitals owned by the company and the Unlisted Healthcare Fund to alternative hospital operators.Lastly, Cleanaway Waste Management (ASX:CWY) said EQT Infrastructure remains committed to pursuing its proposed acquisition of 100% of the company's shares at no less than the indicative offer price following its due diligence review.
Healthcare stocks advanced 1% at midday Monday.CSL (ASX:CSL) gained nearly 2% in recent trade.On the flip side, the materials sector struggled, shedding nearly 1%.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) shares fell past 1% in recent trade.
Australia's consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise 0.4% in August from the previous month, which would increase the annual pace of inflation to 4% from 3.5% in July, Westpac said in a Monday report.The bank expects a 0.7% monthly CPI increase on a seasonally adjusted basis.Meanwhile, the August trimmed mean measure of underlying inflation is expected to rise 0.2%, down from the 0.4% average over the previous three months and holding the annual pace steady at 3.6%, the bank said.Westpac also revised its CPI estimate for the third quarter to 1.3% from 1.1% previously, and now expects the quarterly trimmed mean to print at 0.9%, compared with a previous call of 0.8%."A stronger-than-expected July set a higher starting point which we expect to be partially unwound in August-September," the bank said, adding that it still foresees a moderation in the fourth quarter with the trimmed mean reading expected at 0.7%.Westpac now sees annual headline inflation at 2.4% by the end of 2027 and at 2.3% by the close of 2028, noting that its year-ended estimates are below the Reserve Bank of Australia's current forecasts.
Australian shares are poised to rise on Monday, tracking higher oil prices as fresh Houthi and Iranian attacks add to supply concerns following the closure of Saudi Arabia's key East-West oil pipeline, which threatens to disrupt up to 4% of global oil supply.On Sept. 11, the Nasdaq Composite and the Dow Jones Industrial Average each rose nearly 1%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.9%.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing Reserve Bank of Australia Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter's speech today.In corporate news, FleetPartners Group (ASX:FPR) said it received three revised acquisition proposals, including a AU$4.55-per-share offer from SG Fleet Topco, AU$4.65-per-share proposal from Orix, and AU$4.65-per-share bid from the Sumitomo consortium.Meanwhile, REA Group (ASX:REA) reached a court-enforceable agreement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to resolve the regulator's concerns related to some of the company's subscription offerings.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.9%, or 78.2 points, to close at 8,741.20 on Sept. 11.
Australian shares continued their decline on Friday, as oil prices continued to climb.The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.89%, or 78.20 points, to close at 8,741.20.Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both fell 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.7%.Brent crude oil futures soared to trade around $108 per barrel, as the US and Iran continued to trade attacks, while the Iran-aligned Houthis took over the strategic port of Mocha in Yemen, threatening shipping via the Red Sea.On the domestic front, Australian card transaction activity fell slightly in late August from a historical high earlier in the month, although quarterly growth momentum has continued to strengthen and is now in the 1.3% to 1.5% range, Westpac said.In company news, GQG Partners (ASX:GQG) said its funds under management (FUM) stood at $149.2 billion as of Aug. 31. The company had reported FUM of $167.6 billion at the close of August 2025. Its shares earlier fell nearly 9%, hitting a record low.Focus Minerals (ASX:FML) logged AU$0.2995 in earnings per share for the first half, compared with AU$0.7726 a year ago. For the six months ended June 30, revenue was AU$261.5 million versus AU$84.4 million previously.Lastly, Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) logged AU$0.0134 in loss per share for the first half, compared with a loss of AU$0.0304 a year ago. For the six months ended June 30, other income was AU$1.6 million versus AU$1.1 million previously.
(Corrects to remove PDI Gold from the list)Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Friday.Metrics Master (ASX:MXT): +3%, AU$1.82AUB Group (ASX:AUB): +3%, AU$27.81Ingenia Communities (ASX:INA): +3%, AU$3.97Suncorp Group (ASX:SUN): +3%, AU$19.43Challenger (ASX:CGF): +3%, AU$10.19Cobram Estate Olives (ASX:CBO): +2%, AU$2.84Viva Energy Group (ASX:VEA): +2%, AU$3.03Elders (ASX:ELD): +2%, AU$6.38Brambles (ASX:BXB): +2%, AU$18.58
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