813 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.
Utilities stocks advanced nearly 1% at midday Friday.Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) shares rose marginally in recent trade.Meanwhile, the information technology sector struggled, shedding almost 2%.Xero (ASX:XRO) shares were down marginally in recent trade.
Australian shares are poised to rise on Friday after oil prices jumped more than 2% overnight following reports of an attack on a cargo vessel near Oman that disrupted security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz and reignited fears over global crude supply flows.Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.01% and 0.5%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose over 0.1%.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing the Reserve Bank of Australia's June monetary policy board meeting minutes next week.In corporate news, BHP Group (ASX:BHP) appointed Edgar Basto as chief enterprise performance officer, effective Sept. 1.DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX:DGT) said Chief Executive Michael Juniper will not return from personal leave and has stepped down from his role, effective Friday.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.7% or 59.7 points to close at 8,748.70 on Thursday.
Australian shares declined on Thursday after investors reacted to a continued fall in oil prices as supply concerns eased.The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.68%, or 59.70 points, to close at 8,748.70.Oil prices are reaching pre-war levels as tankers transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude oil futures fell to around $72 per barrel. Meanwhile, gold fell below $4,000 for the first time since November 2025.On the domestic front, Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in May from 4.5% in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed.Australia's total household wealth rose 1.2% to AU$19.212 trillion in the March quarter due to growth in land and dwelling values, according to figures released by ABS.Australian total household spending in May was AU$80.64 billion on a current price, seasonally adjusted basis, rising 5.5% year-over-year and 1.3% month-on-month, according to data from the ABS.Seasonally adjusted job vacancies in Australia fell 2.1% to 329,500 in the three months to May, ABS said.In company news, Judo Capital Holdings (ASX:JDO) said it now expects a fiscal 2026 profit before tax of AU$163 million to AU$169 million. The cut comes as Judo now expects its fiscal year cost of risk to be in the range of AU$116 million to AU$122 million, reflecting an increase in certain provisions driven mainly by three exposures across different sectors that recently emerged due to "customer-specific developments." Its shares dropped nearly 38% on close, earlier reaching their lowest point in over two years.Worley (ASX:WOR) increased its expected fiscal 2026 underlying earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA) impact to up to AU$60 million, up from a prior estimate of AU$30 million to AU$40 million, due to ongoing Middle East project delays.Lastly, Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) will provide an investment of up to AU$20 million to Echo IQ (ASX:EIQ) and become a reseller of the EchoSolv product suite across the US under a proposed commercial partnership.
The decline in Australia's unemployment rate in May was in line with expectations, but the latest data also points to "a genuine weakening" taking hold in the labor market, Westpac said in a Thursday report.Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed the country's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate falling to 4.4% in May from 4.5% in the previous month, with the number of employed Australians growing by 40,300.However, employment growth has cooled from a nascent recovery earlier this year, stalling flat over April and May from an average gain of around 25,000 per month over the course of the first quarter, the bank said.It added that the unemployment rate temporarily dipped around the turn of the year but is once again trending higher on a three-month average basis."One of the key parts of our labor market view is that employment growth would soften at a faster clip than labor force growth, causing a rise in the unemployment rate amid stable participation," Westpac said. "That is the state of play at the moment."The bank believes the shock from the Middle East conflict will take more time to fully manifest in the labor market, and expects most of the softening to materialize in the second half of the year. It also foresees the unemployment rate rising to a quarter-average of 5% in early 2027, driven by slower hiring as opposed to active labor shedding.
Seasonally adjusted job vacancies in Australia fell 2.1% to 329,500 in the three months to May, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Thursday.Private-sector vacancies decreased 1.4% to 293,800, while public-sector vacancies fell 7.9% to 35,700.The decline in job vacancies was widespread, marking the first fall since August 2025, said Sean Crick, the Bureau's Head of Labor Statistics.The financial and insurance services industry recorded the largest quarterly decline in job vacancies, falling over 21%, while manufacturing posted the strongest increase, with vacancies rising nearly 17%.Job vacancies decreased in seven of the eight states and territories in the quarter to May, with Victoria recording the largest decline, followed by South Australia, while Tasmania was the only state to report an increase.Job vacancies over the year to May fell by 2.1%, with private and public sector vacancies declining by 1.8% and 4.9%, respectively.
Australia's unemployment rate ticked lower in May, in line with analyst forecasts, falling slightly from a post-pandemic high struck in April as the backlog of people waiting to start a job eased.The country's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in May from 4.5% in the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday.Westpac and BofA Securities both forecast a decline to 4.4%.The result came as the number of employed Australians grew by 40,300 from April, helping push the seasonally adjusted employment-to-population ratio 0.1 percentage points higher to 63.8% in May, while the number of unemployed people fell by 18,300, the data showed.Full-time employment grew by roughly 5,000 and part-time employment by around 35,000, with the underemployment rate rising 0.1 percentage point to 5.9% in May.However, the number of hours worked slipped 1.1% in May following a nearly 1% increase in April, when fewer people took leave during the Easter holiday period. The decline in May "brings hours worked back in line with employment growth since the end of the pandemic in June 2022," said Sean Crick, head of labor statistics at the ABS.A separate same-day release from the agency showed Australian job vacancies falling to 329,500 in May, with a 2.1% decline in the three months through May representing the first drop in vacancies since August 2025.The decline in unemployment is likely to factor into the Reserve Bank of Australia's monetary policy deliberations. The central bank raised borrowing costs three times this year before pausing the tightening cycle at its most recent meeting earlier in June.
Healthcare stocks advanced nearly 3% at midday Thursday.CSL (ASX:CSL) gained almost 3% in recent trade.Meanwhile, the materials sector struggled, shedding more than 2%.BHP Group (ASX:BHP) shares fell nearly 2% in recent trade.
Australia's total household wealth rose 1.2% to AU$19.212 trillion in the March quarter due to growth in land and dwelling values, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.Non-financial assets owned by households grew by 2.3%, while financial assets decreased 0.5%Total demand for credit was AU$140 billion in March, driven by private non-financial businesses, households, and general government.Meanwhile, household demand for credit was bolstered by strong housing loans for both owner-occupiers and investors.Household short-term borrowings in March decreased due to seasonal decline in consumer spending, with AU$47.6 billion in long-term loans and a net repayment of AU$500 million in short-term loans.
Australian total household spending in May was AU$80.64 billion on a current price, seasonally adjusted basis, rising 5.5% year-over-year and 1.3% month-on-month, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released on Thursday.Household spending increased for all nine spending categories in May, with the largest gains seen in clothing and footwear at 2.7%, miscellaneous goods and services at 2.2%, and hotels, cafes, and restaurants at 1.9%.Spending on goods saw a month-over-month increase of 0.1%, driven by more spending on food, clothing, and footwear, as well as goods for recreation and culture.Meanwhile, household spending on services rose 2.6% month-over-month, with the increase driven by higher spending on air passenger and sea transport, catering services, and other services.Household spending jumped for seven of the eight states and territories, with the strongest increases seen in Western Australia at 2.6%, Northern Territory at 2.1%, and Victoria at 1.7%.
Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in May from 4.5% in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday.The consensus forecast was also for 4.4%, according to Trading Economics.The total number of employed people increased by 40,300, bringing the total to 14.7 million."Over the past few months, we have recorded higher proportions of unemployed people waiting to start jobs who then remained unemployed in the following month," said Sean Crick, the bureau's head of labor statistics.The participation rate remained flat at nearly 67% compared with the previous month. The underemployment rate, which refers to the share of workers who want and are available to work additional hours, inched up to 5.9% in May from 5.8% in April.The employment-to-population ratio rose 0.1 percentage points to nearly 64%, the report said. Monthly hours worked across all jobs decreased by 22 million hours to 2.01 billion hours in May.
Australian shares are poised to rise on Thursday after oil prices tumbled more than 4% as easing supply concerns through the Strait of Hormuz and expectations of rising Iranian exports weighed on global crude markets.Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4%.In the macroeconomy, Australia's labor force report is due at 11:30 am Sydney time.In corporate news, Worley (ASX:WOR) increased its expected fiscal 2026 underlying earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA) impact to up to AU$60 million, up from a prior estimate of AU$30 million to AU$40 million, due to ongoing Middle East project delays.Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) will cease operations at its Lucky Bay garnet project in Western Australia and transition the mine into care and maintenance, effective July 1.Australia's benchmark index rose 0.2% or 21.4 points to close at 8,808.40 on Wednesday.
Australian shares edged higher on Wednesday, even as concern over artificial intelligence-related spending and a potential hawkish direction from the US Federal Reserve sent stocks downwards on Wall Street.The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.24%, or 21.40 points, to close at 8,808.40.Overnight, the S&P 500 fell 1.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 2.2%. Gold declined for a second day as spot gold fell over 1% to under $4,070 per ounce.Brent crude oil futures fell to around $76 per barrel as more oil tankers moved through the Strait of Hormuz and talks continue between the US and Iran.On the domestic front, Australia's consumer price index rose 4% on year in May, down from the 4.2% rate posted in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.1% in seasonally adjusted terms. Trimmed mean annual inflation was 3.6% in the 12 months to May, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to April.Australia's total engineering construction work done rose 7.1% to AU$38.87 billion in the March quarter, seasonally adjusted, up from AU$36.29 billion in the previous quarter, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported.In company news, Tasmea (ASX:TEA) struck a deal to acquire JPS Group, an integrated services provider to the energy sector, for up to AU$75 million. The deal is anticipated to close on or around Aug. 1. It also affirmed its fiscal 2026 underlying net profit after tax guidance of AU$72.5 million on a standalone basis. The firm's shares reached their all-time peak earlier in the day.Baby Bunting Group (ASX:BBN) now expects fiscal second-half pro forma net profit after tax of between AU$11 million and AU$12 million following softer-than-expected trading conditions through the fourth quarter, below its previously guided range of AU$12.5 million to AU$14.5 million. Its shares fell 10% on close.Lastly, Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX) said its independent directors are reviewing their response following the extension of IFM Investors' takeover offer after the bidder increased its voting power above 50%.
In annual terms, trimmed mean inflation is forecast to print at 3.7% in the June quarter, compared with the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) expectations of 3.8%, ANZ Research said in a note on Wednesday.Australia's consumer price index rose 4% on year in May, down from the 4.2% rate posted in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.1% in seasonally adjusted terms. Trimmed mean annual inflation was 3.6% in the 12 months to May, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to April.The lender now expects a trimmed mean forecast quarter-over-quarter rise of 0.9% in the June quarter.The May inflation data was mixed, with trimmed mean a little stronger than expected but headline inflation softer. There were also increasing signs of second-hand flow-through appearing in the broader inflation basket.The Australian Bureau of Statistics noted that home builders in most cities raised base prices to pass through fuel surcharges and higher material costs, and the new dwelling costs series is expected to show continued strength over the coming months.The holiday travel and accommodation group was a little softer than expected, with the group declining 6.9% month-over-month.
Underlying pressures suggest second-round effects from the Middle East conflict are broadening despite the weakness in the headline inflation in May, Westpac Banking said in a report on Wednesday.Australia's consumer price index rose 4% on year in May, down from the 4.2% rate posted in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. This was below Westpac's estimate of 4.4% and market expectations of 4.3%. The key drivers behind the softer May outcome were transport, clothing and footwear, as well as recreation and culture, balanced by a broad-based pick-up across electricity, rents, and new dwelling costs.Trimmed mean annual inflation was 3.6% in the 12 months to May, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to April.Recreation and culture was the key miss due to bigger-than expected falls in domestic and international travel, falling past 12% and 0.8% month over month, respectively. Westpac said. New dwelling costs rose 0.9% on a month basis, the strongest monthly increase since December 2022.The May data reinforce the central bank's concern that inflation remains too high and that a period of slower growth will be needed to return inflation to target, Westpac said. Housing inflation also remains a key pressure point, accounting for around 20% of the CPI basket.
Information technology stocks rallied nearly 5% at midday Wednesday.BrainChip Holdings's (ASX:BRN) shares slipped over 1% after it said late on Tuesday that it launched a neuromorphic computing reference platform built on its Akida AKD1500 processor to enable real-time radio frequency (RF) signal classification for defense and edge applications under strict power and size constraints.Meanwhile, the energy sector declined nearly 2%, one of the only two sectors trading in the red, as Brent crude oil futures fell to trade around $76 per barrel.Shares of Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) fell over 1% as it flagged investment of $5 million over six years to restore more than 800 acres of forest habitat at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, as part of a large-scale ecological rehabilitation effort.
A moderation in fuel prices helped ease Australia's annual headline inflation in May, although the rate remains above the central bank's target range amid elevated housing costs.Australia's consumer price index rose 4% on year in May, down from the 4.2% rate posted in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. On a monthly basis, the CPI fell 0.1% in seasonally adjusted terms.The annual result is better than the 4.1% forecast from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac's expectation of a 4.4% increase.Housing was the largest contributor to annual inflation in May, with a jump of 6.5% as electricity costs surged after the end of government rebate programs. Transport price growth eased to 3.3% in annual terms from a 6.6% rise in the year through April.The annual price increase for goods slowed in May, as did tradables inflation, with both declines reflecting a cooling of automotive fuel price growth to 7.7% in May from 18.6% in April, the ABS said.The latest data follows the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) pausing its policy-tightening cycle last week. The bank held its cash rate at 4.35% after three consecutive rate hikes, but left the door open to further increases due to persistently high inflation.The central bank has a 2% to 3% annual inflation target. As of Tuesday, the RBA Rate Tracker tool pegged the odds of another hike to borrowing costs at 28%.
Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest losses on Wednesday.Predictive Discovery (ASX:PDI): -8%, AU$0.86Beach Energy (ASX:BPT): -7%, AU$0.87Orezone Gold (ASX:ORE): -6%, AU$2.28Ora Banda Mining (ASX:OBM): -5%, AU$1.17Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK): -5%, AU$1.52Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU): -5%, AU$0.25Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG): -5%, AU$1.03Genesis Minerals (ASX:GMD): -4%, AU$5.57Catalyst Metals (ASX:CYL): -4%, AU$5.48Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM): -4%, AU$12.76
Here are the ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Wednesday.Wisetech Global (ASX:WTC): +13%, AU$32.51BCI Minerals (ASX:BCI): +11%, AU$0.42Anteris Technologies (ASX:AVR): +10%, AU$14.99Xero (ASX:XRO): +8%, AU$70.31Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX): +7%, AU$15.54Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU): +5%, AU$12.99Tasmea (ASX:TEA): +5%, AU$9.45Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN): +5%, AU$0.92Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG): +4%, AU$6.53Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU): +4%, AU$7.54
Australia's consumer price index (CPI) rose 4% in the 12 months to May, down from a 4.2% increase in the year to April, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday.The largest contributor to annual inflation was housing, which rose 6.5%, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport, both up 3.3%.Annual housing inflation was primarily driven by rising costs for electricity, new dwellings, and rents, while food inflation was mainly influenced by higher prices for meals out and takeaway food."Electricity costs are 21.1% higher than 12 months ago as Commonwealth and State government rebates that reduced electricity costs for households are no longer in place," said Rachael McCririck, the bureau's head of prices statistics.Trimmed mean annual inflation was 3.6% in the 12 months to May, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to April.Annual goods inflation fell to 4.2% in the year to May from 4.7% in April, while services inflation rose to 3.7% from 3.5%, per the report.Automotive fuel prices fell nearly 12% in May, after a 7% decline in April."These monthly falls include the impacts of the halving of the fuel excise on April 1 and lower world oil prices in recent weeks," McCririck added.The CPI declined by 0.1% in seasonally adjusted terms during the month of May.
Showing 401-420 of 813
