FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

S&P/ASX 200

ASX 200
IndexIndex

569 stories mentioning S&P/ASX 200Updated 2d ago

Australian shares traded mixed, with energy stocks like Woodside advancing while consumer discretionary names slipped amid softening consumer confidence.

International

ANZ Sees Little Change in Australia's Budget Deficit, Flags Cost-of-Living Relief

ANZ said it expects Australia's underlying cash deficit to be little changed from the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook at AU$37 billion in fiscal 2025 to 2026 and AU$36 billion in fiscal 2026 to 2027, with deficits averaging about 1% of gross domestic product likely over the forward estimates through to fiscal 2029 to 2030, according to a Monday note by the bank.ANZ said it expects the budget to include additional temporary cost-of-living relief for households and businesses in the near term, including a possible extension of the fuel excise reduction.The bank said it expects a medium-term focus on energy security, given Australia's reliance on imported refined petroleum products, including via the Future Made in Australia package, alongside a previously announced increase in defense spending.ANZ said changes to the taxation of investment properties are expected to strengthen the fiscal position over the next decade and provide a path for revenues as a share of GDP to rise.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Midday Sector Update: Consumer Discretionary Stocks Gain, Energy Slides

Consumer discretionary stocks were rising 1% to lead gainers in midday trading Monday.Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) was advancing nearly 2% and Lottery Corp. (ALX:TLC) almost 1%.On the flip side, energy stocks were shedding almost 3% as oil prices gained amid renewed uncertainty surrounding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz and a potential second round of talks between the US and Iran.Viva Energy Group (ASX:VEA) was down more than 5% after saying its fire-hit Geelong refinery is expected to produce diesel and jet fuel at about 80% of capacity and petrol at roughly 60% of capacity in the short term. The company also reported a 5.1% year-over-year increase in first-quarter sales volume.

ASX 200ASX:TLCASX:VEAASX:WES
Asia

ASX Preview: Australian Shares Set to Fall as US-Iran Tensions Escalate; Viva Energy's Geelong Refinery to Produce Petrol at 60% of Capacity Over Short Term

Australian shares are poised to fall on Monday as escalating US-Iran tensions, including the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship and threats of retaliation that have put a fragile ceasefire at risk, rattled global markets and pushed oil prices sharply higher.On April 17, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2%, 1.5%, and 1.8%, respectively.In corporate news, Viva Energy Group (ASX:VEA) said its fire-hit Geelong refinery is expected to produce diesel and jet fuel at about 80% of capacity and petrol at roughly 60% of capacity in the short term.National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) said it expects fiscal first-half credit impairment charges of AU$706 million as it lifts provisions to reflect risks stemming from the Middle East conflict.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.1% or 8.1 points to close at 8,946.90 on April 17.

ASX 200ASX:NABASX:VEA
Asia

Australian Shares End Slightly Lower; Zip Posts Higher Fiscal Q3 EBTDA, Upgrades Fiscal 2026 Outlook

Australian shares were slightly lower at Friday's close as investors awaited potential ​US-Iran diplomacy over the weekend.The S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.1% or 8.1 points to close at 8,946.90.US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and said talks between the US and Iran may take place over the weekend. Brent crude oil futures fell over 1% to $98.14 per barrel. Spot gold climbed nearly 1% to $4,830.82 per ounce.On the domestic front, card activity in Australia rose 1.2% over the March quarter, with quarterly momentum subdued and slowing on the 2% average seen over the June, September, and December quarters in 2025, according to a report by Westpac. The Westpac-DataX Card Tracker Index declined 2.2 points over the three weeks to April 11.In company news, Zip (ASX:ZIP) reported Friday fiscal third quarter cash earnings before taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBTDA) of AU$65.1 million per share, up from AU$46 million a year earlier. The company said it upgraded its fiscal 2026 group cash EBTDA guidance to be no less than AU$260 million.Alcoa (ASX:AAI) reported Friday first-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.40 per share, down from $2.15 a year earlier. The company expects 2026 total alumina segment production and shipments to remain unchanged from its prior projection, ranging between 9.7 million to 9.9 million metric tons, and between 11.8 million and 12 million metric tons, respectively.Lastly, Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN) said it now expects fiscal 2026 triuranium octoxide production of between 4.5 million and 4.8 million pounds, up from previous guidance of 4 million to 4.4 million pounds, from the Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia. Its shares reached a near two-year peak during the trading session.

ASX 200ASX:AAIASX:PDNASX:ZIP
Asia

ASX Biggest Losers

Here are the seven ASX-listed companies with the biggest losses on Friday.4D Medical (ASX:4DX): -5%, AU$6.08Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN): -4%, AU$13.30Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC): -3%, AU$8.13Alcoa (ASX:AAI): -3%, AU$96.50Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX): -3%, AU$6.25New Hope (ASX:NHC): -2%, AU$5.33Capricorn Metals (ASX:CMM): -2%, AU$11.53

ASX 200ASX:4DXASX:AAIASX:CMMASX:EVNASX:NHCASX:WGXASX:WHC
Asia

ASX Biggest Gainers

Here are the five ASX-listed companies with the biggest gains on Friday.IGO (ASX:IGO): +6%, AU$9.27Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN): +5%, AU$62.47Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS): +5%, AU$5.99Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN): +4%, AU$14.75WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC): +3%, AU$46.56

ASX 200ASX:IGOASX:MINASX:PDNASX:PLSASX:WTC
Asia

ASX Most Active Stocks

Here are the five most actively traded big-cap stocks on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday.Zip (ASX:ZIP): 41 million sharesArafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU): 39.5 million sharesCore Lithium (ASX:CXO): 37.2 million sharesDateline Resources (ASX:DTR): 32.9 million sharesTabcorp Holdings (ASX:TAH): 15.2 million shares

ASX 200ASX:ARUASX:CXOASX:DTRASX:TAHASX:ZIP
Asia

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Shares Gain, Consumer Discretionary Falls

Information technology stocks were leading gainers with a rise of 1.4% in midday trading on Friday.WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) was up nearly 4%, and Xero (ASX:XRO) was marginally higher.On the flip side, consumer discretionary stocks were down 0.8% to lead decliners.Kmart owner Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) was shedding more than 1%, while Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) fell nearly 1%.

ASX 200ASX:ALLASX:WESASX:WTCASX:XRO
International

Card Activity in Australia Rises 1.2% Over March Quarter, Westpac Says

Card activity in Australia rose 1.2% over the March quarter, with quarterly momentum subdued and slowing on the 2% average seen over the June, September, and December quarters in 2025, according to a Friday report by Westpac.The Westpac-DataX Card Tracker Index declined 2.2 points over the three weeks to April 11, reflecting a mix of factors including the reduction in fuel excise tax, some easing in the pull-forward of fuel purchases, and a continued moderation in non-fuel segments.The increase in fuel prices and lift in volumes drove a 1.9% gain in March, but the temporary halving in fuel excise tax contributed to a pullback in the first two weeks of April. Nonfuel activity rose 0.5% in March but is tracking a monthly contraction of 1.1% as of mid-April.Non-fuel spend is tracking at a slow 0.7% to 0.9% quarter-over-quarter pace. Card activity is tracking at 1.1% as of mid-April.Some of the softness in April may be a residual holiday-related drag, the report noted. The slowing is broad-based, reflecting the common drivers of around both fuel and non-fuel spend. Overall, the rise in card activity in the March quarter is likely to be flat or down slightly once adjusted for price effects.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Preview: Australian Shares to Fall as Middle East Tensions Ease Tentatively; Alcoa Posts Lower Q1 Adjusted Earnings, Revenue

Australian shares are poised to fall on Friday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ease only tentatively, with markets digesting reports that the US and Iran are exploring a potential ceasefire extension alongside ongoing uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz and global energy flows.Overnight, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.2%, respectively.In the macroeconomy, investors are eyeing the release of the Westpac leading index and the S&P Global flash manufacturing, services, and composite purchasing managers' index reports next week.In corporate news, Alcoa (ASX:AAI) reported Friday first-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.40 per share on revenue of $3.19 billion, compared with adjusted earnings of $2.15 on revenue of $3.37 billion a year earlier.Insurance Australia Group's (ASX:IAG) proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance has the potential to substantially reduce competition and therefore necessitates an in-depth phase 2 review, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Friday.Australia's benchmark index fell 0.3% or 23.7 points to close at 8,955 on Thursday.

ASX 200ASX:AAIASX:IAG
Asia

S&P Forecasts Weaker Credit Quality for 15% of Asia-Pacific Corporates Under Prolonged Middle East War

Protracted energy supply disruptions due to the Middle East conflict would weaken the credit profile of 15% of rated Asia-Pacific corporates, S&P Global Ratings said in a Thursday release.The figure under this downside scenario is greater than the 9% forecast under S&P's base case of a nearer end to the conflict.Sectors most vulnerable to the downside case include chemicals, downstream oil and gas, airlines, automotive, engineering and construction, and building materials, S&P said.The rating agency expects countries with depleting energy reserves to be impacted first, with subsidy efforts postponing some impact but ultimately pressuring countries' financial positions.The impact of the oil shock will vary across firms in different countries and even within the same sector, S&P said.However, supply chain diversification, inventory management, and timely cost passthrough should aid sectors in anchoring credit quality, S&P said.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
Asia

Asia-Pacific Governments' Efforts to Control Energy Shock Impact Could Weigh on Public Finances, Fitch Says

Asia-Pacific governments have been adopting several efforts to mitigate the near-term credit effects of the Middle East energy shock, although these measures transfer the pressure onto public finances, Fitch Ratings said in a recent release.Governments have been countering energy supply pressure through subsidies, price caps, administrative curbs, and energy import diversification, Fitch said.Vietnam has stretched its fuel tax suspension until Jun and eliminated import tariffs until April.Malaysia raised its monthly petrol and diesel subsidy bill, while Singapore increased its corporate tax rebate and carried out reliefs.In India, the government pulled back on full customs duties on 40 petrochemical products while reducing special excise duties on petrol and diesel.These efforts should lessen short-term inflation and social risks, offering a buffer against sudden demand weakness and operating pressure for corporates, the rating agency said.On the other hand, the measures also create strains on sovereign balance sheets, state-tied entities, and regulated energy frameworks, with diverging credit impacts across sovereigns and energy and regulated utility entities, Fitch said.The rating agency considers price controls as causing market signal disruptions and can add more credit stress.Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand have permitted domestic fuel price movements while Indonesia and India have maintained pump prices, Fitch said.China increased prices to levels below cost increases, while South Korea will not have fuel price cap changes for the next few weeks.Thailand requires price reductions, while the Philippines paused its electricity spot market to control increases in electricity bills.Fitch considers the actions as anchoring near-term affordability but disruptive to the profitability of energy entities under delayed compensation.State-linked companies' growing role in supporting energy needs amid the shock could dampen their standalone credit profiles, Fitch said.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE
US Markets

Australian Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in April

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate logged at 4.3% in March, unchanged from March, reported the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday.The nation's labor participation rate, that is the percent of adults working or seeking work, also remained unchanged in March from February, at 66.8%.Likewise, the employment-to-population ratio remained at 64.0%, unchanged in March from the previous month.In March, there were 14.76 million people employed in Australia, up 0.2% on month and up 1.4% on year, reported the ABS.In somewhat better news, the cumulative number of hours worked by all employees in Australia in March rose 0.2% on month and 2.0% on year, said the ABS.Australia's employment picture may remain largely unchanged through 2026, if a recent forecast from the nation's central bank holds water.In February, the Reserve Bank of Australia said it expects Australian gross domestic product (GDP) expand by about 1.8% in 2026, undergirded by household consumption and public spending.The nation's unemployment rate should end the year near 4.3%, the same as the April rate, according to the RBA forecast.

ASX 200
Asia

Australian Shares Decline; Ora Banda Mining Posts Higher March Quarter Gold Production

Australian shares fell on Wednesday's close amid optimism about a ​US-Iran ceasefire.The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 23.70 points, or 0.26%, to close at 8,955.The US and Iran are weighing further talks as mediation efforts continue to prevent the resumption of the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude oil futures were steady at $95.02 per barrel. Spot gold climbed nearly 1% to $4,830.82 per ounce.On Wall Street, the Nasdaq rose 1.6%, and the S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to reach record closing highs on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones slid 2%.On the domestic front, Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, unchanged from the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. The total number of employed people increased by 17,900, bringing the total to 14.8 million.Australia's consumer inflation expectations rose by 0.7 percentage points in April to 5.9%, driven largely by a recent spike in oil prices, according to the Melbourne Institute Survey of Consumer Inflationary Expectations.In company news, Ora Banda Mining (ASX:OBM) said gold production in the March quarter rose 21% to 38,766 ounces from the December 2025 quarter, with 38,637 ounces sold and fiscal 2026 year-to-date production totaling 101,200 ounces. Its shares rose 9% on market close.Netwealth Group (ASX:NWL) reported funds under administration of about AU$125.79 billion at the close of the March quarter, up almost 21% from AU$104.08 billion at the end of the same quarter a year earlier. Its shares closed up 6%.Lastly, Viva Energy Group (ASX:VEA) requested an immediate trading halt on the Australian Securities Exchange as it prepares to announce the impact of a significant fire at its Geelong Refinery. The facility, one of only two refineries still operating in Australia, has a processing capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day, and it reportedly accounts for 10% of Australia's fuel supply and 50% of the fuel used in Victoria.

ASX 200ASX:NWLASX:OBMASX:VEA
International

Australia's Unemployment Rate to Average 4.5% Over December Quarter, ANZ Research Says

The higher interest rates and increased economic uncertainty are expected to weigh on labor demand, with the unemployment rate to average 4.5% over the final quarter of the year, ANZ Research said in a note on Thursday.Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, unchanged from the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. The total number of employed people increased by 17,900, bringing the total to 14.8 million.The bank expects to see some softening in the labor market over the coming months in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East.It expects a "subtle shift" in the Reserve Bank of Australia's characterization of labor market conditions following next month's monetary policy board meeting and it expects the central bank will drop the assessment that conditions have tightened recently.

ASX 200
International

Employment Growth Trend in Australia Was Positive Before Middle East Conflict Started, Westpac Says

The March labor force data in Australia was broadly in line with expectations, and the trend for employment growth was turning more positive before the onset of the Middle East conflict, Westpac said in a note on Thursday.The lender cautioned that it is too early to expect flow-on effects from the Middle East conflict or from recent interest rate rises to be appearing in labor market measures. The data instead gives a picture of the starting point for the labor market before these forces impact.Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, unchanged from the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. The total number of employed people increased by 17,900, bringing the total to 14.8 million. Westpac's forecast for employment was 25,000.The data provided clarity that lower unemployment rates around the turn of the year were a result of temporarily weaker participation, not a sustained re-tightening, per the note.The bank's baseline forecast assumes an eight-week closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a gradual recovery in shipping and transit afterwards. In such a case, trimmed mean inflation is expected to peak at around 4% on an annual basis in the second half, and the central bank is expected deliver three more rate hikes in May, June, and August.The labor market is likely to be a "lagging indicator" of the economy, and any flow-through from higher fuel prices or global uncertainty is more likely to show up later in the year, Westpac added. It forecast the unemployment rate to lift to a quarter-average of 4.9% and stay around that level over 2027 as interest rate rises impact.

ASX 200
Asia

ASX Midday Sector Update: Information Technology Stocks Gain, Energy Shares Slide

Information technology advanced 6% to lead gainers in midday trading on Thursday, after US-listed peers drove the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to new records on Wednesday.Shares of WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) rose 7%, while those of Xero (ASX:XRO) increased6%.Meanwhile, energy stocks fell 1% amid continued optimism for a peace deal between the US and Iran.A fire erupted at Viva Energy Group's (ASX:VEA) oil refinery in Geelong overnight, impacting one of the only two refineries that are still operating in Australia. The company requested an immediate trading halt on its securities as it prepares to disclose the impact of the fire.

ASX 200ASX:VEAASX:WTCASX:XRO
International

Australian Consumer Inflation Expectations Rise in April

Australia's consumer inflation expectations rose by 0.7 percentage points in April to 5.9%, driven largely by a recent spike in oil prices, according to the Melbourne Institute Survey of Consumer Inflationary Expectations on Thursday.Trimmed mean measure in April has reached its highest level since November 2022, while trimmed mean wage expectations have remained unchanged over the past five months, the survey added.

ASX 200
International

Australia's Unemployment Rate Steady at 4.3% in March

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, unchanged from the previous month, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday.The consensus forecast was also for 4.3%, according to Trading Economics.The total number of employed people increased by 17,900, bringing the total to 14.8 million.Employment growth was led by an increase of 53,000 full-time workers in March, which was partly offset by a decrease of 35,000 part-time workers, said Sean Crick, the bureau's head of labor statistics.The participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage points to 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, was flat at 5.9%.The employment-to-population ratio remained at 64%, the report said. Monthly hours worked across all jobs increased by 9 million hours to 2.02 billion hours in March.

ASX 200
International

Australia Household Spending Up 2.9% in March, CommBank Says

Australia's household spending rose 2.9% in March, after a 0.4% fall in February, as transport spending surged 22.9%, according to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Household Spending Insights published Thursday.Household spending was up 1%, even excluding transport costs, which were inflated by higher fuel prices, with all 12 categories recording monthly increases, the report added."As expected, the sharp March lift in household spending reflects higher petrol prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East," CBA Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said.The bank expects household spending to slow as real household disposable income growth weakens, easing inflation pressures over time, with the outlook for consumers critical to the movement of interest rates beyond May.Hospitality spending increased 1.2%, and recreation rose 0.9% over the month. Utilities spending rose 6.9% while spending on insurance climbed 2.5%.The bank said that while higher fuel prices initially lifted spending, regional areas are more exposed to prolonged increases given the heavy reliance of agricultural, mining, and freight industries on diesel-intensive operations.Allen added that regional spending is likely to soften if elevated fuel prices persist.

ASX 200

Showing 521-540 of 569

Track with the FINWIRES app suite

FolioX
FolioX
Track S&P/ASX 200 in your portfolio
WheelAI
WheelAI
Analyze S&P/ASX 200 options with the wheel strategy
StockInsider
StockInsider
See market sentiment on S&P/ASX 200