Australian shares edged lower on Friday despite strength in energy and gold stocks, following Israeli air strikes on Iran that rattled investor sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 14.9 points, or 0.2%, to 8550.2 by 2pm AEST, with seven of 11 sectors in decline.
DFND gives investors exposure to a portfolio of listed global companies involved in the military or defence industries. DFND aims to provide investment returns before fees and other costs which track the performance of the Index.
BBOZ seeks to generate magnified returns that are negatively correlated to the returns of the Australian sharemarket. The Fund expects to generate a magnified positive return when the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index falls on a given day (and a magnified negative return when the index rises on a given day).
The ASX edged higher by midday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 21 points, or 0.2%, at 8613.1, supported by a rally in energy stocks following a sharp 5% rise in oil prices. Global sentiment was dampened by a sell-off in US tech giants and rising US-Iran tensions, while the S&P 500 closed 0.3% lower overnight.
The ASX 200 closed at a record high of 8592.1 on Wednesday, rising 0.1% after reaching an intraday peak of 8639.1. Gains were driven by optimism over China-U.S. trade negotiations, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick citing productive talks and a new framework agreement emerging post-trade.
The ASX 200 surged 0.9% to 8590 by midday, surpassing its February record of 8555.8, driven by strength in energy and banking stocks amid optimism surrounding US-China trade talks in London. Nine of 11 sectors posted gains. The Australian dollar touched a six-month high at US65.25¢.
The Australian sharemarket dipped slightly on Friday, mirroring Wall Street’s cautious tone ahead of key US jobs data. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.1% to 8529 points by early afternoon, with seven of eleven sectors in decline, though the index remains within reach of a new record high. The All Ordinaries fell 0.2%.
The Australian sharemarket edged slightly lower on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 dipping 10.8 points, or 0.1%, to 8531 by 2pm. The index had opened higher but gave up gains as investors awaited a catalyst to push it to a new record, after coming within 15 points of an all-time high on Wednesday.
The Australian sharemarket advanced on Wednesday, lifted by positive cues from Wall Street and a milestone valuation for Commonwealth Bank. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9% to 8538.5 by 2pm, placing it within 20 points of its record high. The All Ordinaries also climbed 0.9%.
The Australian sharemarket advanced on Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as hopes resurfaced for renewed trade negotiations between the US and China. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5% to 8451.7 by midday, with nine of 11 sectors in positive territory, led by financials. The All Ordinaries added 0.4%.
The Australian sharemarket edged lower on Monday amid renewed global trade tensions following US President Donald Trump’s decision to double steel and aluminium tariffs. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.3% to 8406.4 by 2pm, with eight of 11 sectors in the red, led by declines in energy and utilities.
ASX Set for Second Monthly Gain Despite Tech Drag; WiseTech Falls
The Australian sharemarket is on track for a second consecutive monthly gain, supported by easing global trade tensions following a US court ruling against President Trump’s tariffs. By 2pm, the S&P/ASX 200 had dipped 0.1% to 8405.4, though the index remains up 3.4% for April. The All Ordinaries also fell 0.1%, heading for its eighth straight weekly advance.
