818 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.
Materials stocks advanced nearly 3% at midday Wednesday.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained more than 3% in recent trade.On the flip side, the healthcare sector struggled, shedding 2%.CSL (ASX:CSL) shares fell 3% in recent trade.
The six-month annualised growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index dropped to negative 0.36% in June from negative 0.25% in May, marking the sixth consecutive below-trend read and the weakest pace since late 2023 when quarterly GDP growth stalled flat, according to a Wednesday report by Westpac.The bank said conflict-related fuel price spikes in March and April, combined with three Reserve Bank of Australia rate rises earlier this year, are now visibly dragging on economic activity through multiple channels.The index has swung sharply since December, moving from 0.36% to negative 0.36%, with more than half of that reversal driven by a narrowing in the yield spread, the report added.With the RBA board meeting on August 10 to 11, Westpac said the June quarter consumer price index release on July 29 will be the key data point ahead of the decision, and that it expects inflation to remain too elevated, pointing to another 25 basis point rate increase in August.
Australian shares are poised to rise on Wednesday as oil prices surged to a five-week high amid escalating Middle East tensions and growing concerns over potential energy supply disruptions following intensified US-Iran hostilities and threats by Yemen's Houthis to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, 1.3%, and 0.7%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing the Westpac-Melbourne Institute leading economic index report.In corporate news, WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) agreed to acquire California-based FRDM.ai, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven supply chain risk and compliance intelligence platform, in a transaction valued at an upfront $10 million in cash and shares, with potential all-cash earn-outs of up to $14.3 million.Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) reported fiscal fourth-quarter gross sales revenue of AU$288.9 million, up 70% from a year earlier and the highest quarterly revenue achieved since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.Australia's benchmark index was little changed to close at 8,793.30 on Tuesday.
Australian shares were again flat on Tuesday after oil prices eased from a one-month high point on reports of potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8,793.30.Brent crude oil futures fell nearly 1% to trade around $88 per barrel. An Iranian official said the country had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire, Reuters reported. This was despite the Houthis in Yemen saying they would impose a naval blockade on major oil producer Saudi Arabia.Spot gold rose nearly 1% to $4,045.65 per ounce.On the domestic front, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 0.3 points to 75.6 in the week of July 13 to July 19, ANZ reported.Australian consumer confidence edged higher last week, with improved sentiment around major household purchases largely offset by "weaker confidence in personal finances and the economic outlook," according to ANZ economist Sophia Angala.In company news, NEXTDC's (ASX:NXT) pro-forma contracted utilization increased 11% since April 20 to 740 megawatts as of June 30 following additional customer contract awards. The company's pro forma forward order book increased to 565 megawatts due to contract wins.Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) reported second-quarter revenue rose 21% to $247 million due to strong sale of precision medicine category. The company expects fiscal 2026 income to track in line with the upper end of the outlook of $950 million to $970 million.Lastly, PYC Therapeutics (ASX:PYC) said autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) patients in the ongoing clinical trials of its PYC-001 drug candidate showed sustained improvement in both visual acuity and retinal stress following repeat doses.
KPMG Australia appointed its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, John Sams, as its new Chief Executive effective immediately, Reuters reported on Tuesday.The firm's former CEO and Chairman were among the leadership who resigned in the wake of a scandal involving the misuse of confidential client information, including the sharing of Optus and Lendlease (ASX:LLC) data among staff bidding for audit work with other firms. Lendlease said it would no longer work with KPMG as its auditor.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
Information technology stocks advanced 1.3% at midday Tuesday.Xero (ASX:XRO) shares rose marginally in recent trade.Meanwhile, the healthcare sector struggled, shedding nearly 1.4%.CSL (ASX:CSL) shares fell past 1% in recent trade.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 0.3 points to 75.6 in the week of July 13 to July 19, ANZ reported Tuesday.The four-week moving average rose 0.7 points to 75.4, per the report.Australian consumer confidence edged higher last week, with improved sentiment around major household purchases largely offset by "weaker confidence in personal finances and the economic outlook," according to ANZ economist Sophia Angala.The Reserve Bank of Australia may keep the cash rate unchanged in August, but renewed inflationary pressures could prompt a rate hike in November, despite expectations that rates will remain steady through the near term, Angala added.Weekly inflation expectations inched up to 5.8% from 5.7%, while the current financial condition indicator for 12 months increased 0.8 points to 66.1. The future financial conditions for the next 12 months fell to 82.5 points from 84.6.Short-term economic confidence for the next year fell 1.6 points to 67.7, while medium-term economic confidence for the next five years increased to 81.4 points from 80.6.The "time to buy a major household item" subcategory rose 3.8 points to 80.3.
Australian shares are poised to fall on Tuesday as oil prices rose more than 1% after Yemen's Houthis imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, while investors weighed hopes of renewed US-Iran negotiations.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.6%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence rose 0.3 points to 75.6 in the week of July 13 to July 19, ANZ reported Tuesday.In corporate news, Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) reported second-quarter revenue rose 21% to $247 million due to strong sale of precision medicine category.HUB24 (ASX:HUB) reported total funds under administration rose 20% to AU$164.3 billion as at June 30.Australia's benchmark index was little changed to close at 8,791.30 on Monday.
Several key economic releases are due across Asia this week, including central bank decisions, inflation data, gross domestic product figures and flash purchasing managers' index reports.The week begins with China's benchmark lending rates on Monday, followed by Taiwan's June export orders on Tuesday.Indonesia's central bank will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday. On Thursday, South Korea will report second-quarter gross domestic product, and Singapore will publish June inflation figures.The week wraps up with July flash PMI data from India and Japan on Friday. Japan will also release inflation numbers.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, July 20The People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the 14th consecutive month, matching the consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com.The one-year loan prime rate, which serves as the benchmark for most corporate and household loans, was held at 3%. Meanwhile, the five-year LPR, the reference rate for residential mortgages, was maintained at 3.5%.Elsewhere, Malaysia's trade surplus narrowed to 14.9 billion ringgit in June from 39.9 billion ringgit in May.Total exports grew 45.4% year over year to 177.9 billion ringgit, while imports rose 43.9% to a record 163 billion ringgit.India's infrastructure output for June is also expected later today.TUESDAY, July 21Taiwan will report June export orders, with ING economists forecasting a 43.9% increase, slower than the 47.2% rise in May.WEDNESDAY, July 22Bank Indonesia is expected to hike rates by 25 basis points to 6%, according to a forecast by ING, adding that the increase underscores the central bank's commitment to foreign exchange stability by attracting foreign inflows and stabilizing the local currency.The hike is anticipated to be the last of the cycle, according to DBS economists.South Korea's producer prices are forecast to have risen 8.2% year over year in June, slowing from 8.5% in the previous month, according to Trading Economics.Elsewhere, Japan may see a trade deficit of 120 billion yen in June, narrowing from the 378.7 billion yen recorded in May, according to consensus estimates.Exports and imports are expected to climb 18.6% and 21% year over year, respectively.THURSDAY, July 23South Korea will release its Q2 GDP. ING said the economy likely grew 4.2% year over year in the April to June period, up from 3.8% in the first quarter, driven by positive net exports.Singapore will publish inflation data for June, with ING economists forecasting core inflation at 1.7%, and Trading Economics at 1.6%. This compares to 1.4% in May.FRIDAY, July 24Japan will release inflation figures for June. Trading Economics expects the nation's core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, to be 1.5%, slightly higher than May's 1.4%.Flash PMI reports for Japan and India are also due on Friday.Lastly, Singapore will post industrial production numbers, with Trading Economics forecasting a 9% year-over-year boost in June, slowing from May's 13% growth.
Australian shares were flat on Monday as a surge in oil prices fanned concerns over a potential spike in inflation.The S&P/ASX 200 Index was little changed to close at 8,791.30.Brent crude oil futures surged over 2% to over $90 per barrel as the conflict in the Middle East escalated and the US and Iran continued to trade strikes.Meanwhile, gold steadied to trade around $4,010 per ounce after falling below the $4,000-mark in the previous week.On the domestic front, goods imports are driving the trend of imports accounting for a larger share of domestic demand in Australia than at any time since the quarterly national accounts began in the September quarter of 1959, ANZ said.In company news, Deep Yellow (ASX:DYL) awarded two civil and concrete construction contracts with an aggregate value of about AU$34 million for its Tumas uranium project in Namibia.Weebit Nano (ASX:WBT) upgraded its fiscal year 2026 revenue guidance to at least AU$13.5 million from a previous expectation of at least AU$12 million.Coast Entertainment (ASX:CEH) secured Queensland Government approval for the development application in relation to its Coomera landholding, made in September 2023.
Goods imports are driving the trend of imports accounting for a larger share of domestic demand in Australia than at any time since the quarterly national accounts began in the September quarter of 1959, according to a Monday report by ANZ.Imports as a share of domestic demand rose to 24.2% in the March quarter from around 15% in the March quarter of 2000.Goods imports rose to 17.7% from 11% over the same period. This surge in imports reflects a stronger demand for imported capital equipment, particularly automated data processing equipment, and consumer goods.Australia recorded a monthly goods trade deficit of AU$3 billion in May, the largest goods trade deficit since 2015. Nominal goods imports rose to AU$46.6 billion in the month, the highest level since the monthly goods trade series began in July 1971.Export values softened from a peak in 2022, as supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict eased and commodity prices normalized.On a real basis, Australia's goods trade balance has narrowed in recent years. Imports reached AU$123 billion in the March quarter, the highest level in the history of the national accounts data. The goods trade balance was at AU$15.5 billion in the quarter, its lowest level since the December quarter of 2012.The trade balance is likely to become more sensitive to swings in domestic demand. Increased imports are expected to exert downward pressure on the trade balance as support from elevated commodity prices fades.
Energy stocks advanced 2% at midday Monday.Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) gained nearly 2% in recent trade.On the flip side, the information technology sector struggled, shedding more than 1%.Xero (ASX:XRO) shares fell past 1% in recent trade.
Australian shares are set for a cautious start on Monday after Brent crude surged above $91 a barrel as escalating US-Iran hostilities and renewed disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz stoked fears of tighter global oil supplies and higher energy prices.On July 17, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1%, 1.4%, and 0.8%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing Australia's labor force report on Thursday.In corporate news, Deep Yellow (ASX:DYL) awarded two civil and concrete construction contracts with an aggregate value of about AU$34 million for its flagship Tumas project in Namibia.Perenti (ASX:PRN) said its subsidiary African Mining Services, through the AMAX joint venture, has reached an agreement with AngloGold Ashanti on an orderly transition plan for mining services at the Iduapriem Gold Mine in Ghana.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.5% or 44 points to close at 8,796.70 on July 17.
Dampened demand and rising costs have worsened the credit prospects of Asia-Pacific's auto, building materials, and capital goods sectors over the next 12 months, S&P Global Ratings said in recent releases.For the auto sector, the rating agency forecasts global light-vehicle sales to drop by 2.5% annually in 2026, with major declines in China and the US.China and Europe will see further electrification until 2027, while the US will observe a slowdown as the government eliminates incentives, S&P said.Raw material costs will see notable increases amid high oil prices and narrow supply, but S&P's rated issuers will exhibit resilience amid stronger products, diversified networks, and scale gains.The region's building materials sector faces increased transportation and energy costs due to the Middle East war, resulting in greater margin pressure, S&P said.In China, the sector faces bottlenecks in demand recovery amid continued weakness in the property sector, according to the rating agency.Still, satisfactory competitive positions and ample financial headroom should aid the companies in handling oversupply and dampened demand, S&P said.Issuers from the capital goods sector will also face increased costs, supply chain disruptions, and postponed investments amid the Middle East conflict and volatile US policy, the rating agency said.The sector faces margin pressure due to higher costs, but earnings should gain from strong order backlogs and staunch investment demand, according to S&P.Robust earnings have improved the companies' financial buffers and bolstered their cushion against downside risks, S&P said.
Australian shares retreated on Friday after a sell-off on Wall Street over concerns of potential overcapacity in the artificial intelligence build-up.The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell by 44 points, or 0.5%, to close at 8,796.70.On Wall Street, the Nasdaq Composite index fell 1.5% overnight, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones declined 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.Brent crude oil futures continued to rise to trade around $85 per barrel as the US and Iran continued to trade strikes. Meanwhile, spot gold fell below the $4,000 mark to around $3,981 per ounce.On the domestic front, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the Australian labor market has been small so far, but the landscape is quickly rapidly, with the data pointing to the labor market changing in shape more than size, Jarden said.In company news, Coles Group (ASX:COL) said it has ceased discussions with private equity firm TPG Capital regarding the potential acquisition of Greencross Pet Wellness.Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) identified that 4,391 ounces of gold were incorrectly reported as poured bullion on hand after final reconciliation on June 30. As a result of this error, the end-of-month cash and bullion on hand was adjusted to AU$1.18 billion from AU$1.21 billion. Gold production at the Duketon gold project in Western Australia for the fiscal year 2027 is expected to be higher than in the fiscal year 2026.Lastly, Zip (ASX:ZIP) said it will undertake an orderly wind-down of its New Zealand operations following a strategic review, as the company sharpens its focus on its Australian and US businesses, which continue to deliver strong growth and profitability.
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the Australian labor market has been small so far, but the landscape is quickly rapidly, with the data pointing to the labor market changing in shape more than size, Jarden said in a report on Thursday.Deloitte Access Economics' Employment Forecasts report shows that so far, there is no observable divergence in employment growth between AI-disrupted and other occupations since AI emerged in 2022. It flagged a possible near-term inflationary impact from AI infrastructure investment, before any later disinflationary efficiency gain shows through.Occupations disrupted by AI are projected to grow by around 167,200 fewer workers over five years. Industry exposure is concentrated in financial, professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as information media.The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEWR) AI and Employment in Australia report found that employment in the most AI-exposed occupations grew 5.6% since Nov. 2022, compared with 9.5% in the least-exposed occupations. By February, employment sat around 2% below where the trend from before the launch of ChatGPT would have placed it.However, US data shows disruption at both junior and senior levels, with particular concern around entry-level roles.AI is expected to differentiate performance within the office real estate sector, with non-core suburban and metro markets at most risk, while premium-grade central business district assets forecast to prove relatively more resilient.Among real estate investment trusts, Dexus (ASX:DXS) carries the highest core-market weighting at 53%, ahead of GPT Group (ASX:GPT) at 31% as well as Mirvac (ASX:MGR) at 20%, positioning them comparatively better than portfolios skewed to secondary, non-core stock.Proposed national AI standards are expected to add costs for data center developers, but also bring faster approvals and greater certainty.
Communication services stocks advanced more than 1% at midday Friday.Telstra Group (ASX:TLS) gained nearly 2% in recent trade despite news that its CEO Vicki Brady will appear before the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee on Friday as part of an inquiry into the Triple Zero service outage.On the flip side, the materials sector struggled, shedding more than 3%.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) shares fell past 3% in recent trade following the start of a workers strike at its Port Hedland operations in Western Australia.
Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest losses on Friday.EQ Resources (ASX:EQR): -10%, AU$0.22Mesoblast (ASX:MSB): -10%, AU$2.50Orezone Gold (ASX:ORE): -8%, AU$2.07Ora Banda Mining (ASX:OBM): -8%, AU$0.99Regis Resources (ASX:RRL): -8%, AU$5.69Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX:SRL): -7%, AU$15.744DMedical (ASX:4DX): -7%, AU$3.49Weebit Nano (ASX:WBT): -7%, AU$6.04Elsight (ASX:ELS): -7%, AU$6.74Metals X (ASX:MLX): -7%, AU$1.35
Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Friday.Coles Group (ASX:COL): +3%, AU$23.31Xero (ASX:XRO): +3%, AU$71.17Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS): +3%, AU$30.27AMP (ASX:AMP): +3%, AU$1.95Amcor (ASX:AMC): +3%, AU$63.72Generation Development Group (ASX:GDG): +3%, AU$3.57Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG): +3%, AU$6.15GQG Partners (ASX:GQG): +3%, AU$1.41News Corp (ASX:NWS): +2%, AU$46.69Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG): +2%, AU$21.74
Here are the five most actively traded big-cap stocks on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday.EQ Resources (ASX:EQR): 23 million sharesArafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU): 11.3 million sharesMirvac Group (ASX:MGR): 11.3 million sharesLiontown (ASX:LTR): 9.8 million sharesAMP (ASX:AMP): 9.6 million shares
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