The ASX 200 hovered around the flat line on Thursday, down just one point to 8530.2 by 2pm AEST, as investors weighed weaker-than-expected jobs data, falling iron ore prices, and geopolitical risks.
Australian employment unexpectedly declined by 2500 jobs in May, well below consensus expectations for a 22,500 gain. Markets showed little immediate reaction.
The ASX 200 fluctuated on Wednesday, inching up just one point to 8542.3 by 2pm AEST, as a sharp sell-off in materials offset gains in other sectors. Investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with oil prices surging to five-month highs after Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” stoking fears of broader US involvement.
The ASX 200 swung between gains and losses on Tuesday, dipping 10 points to 8538.4 by 2pm AEST, with seven of 11 sectors in decline. The market largely shrugged off Wall Street’s positive lead, as geopolitical tensions took centre stage.
ASX edges higher as oil surges; Santos soars on takeover bid; Chinese retail jumps
Australian shares edged up on Monday, with energy stocks driving gains after a surge in oil prices and a $30 billion takeover bid for Santos. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.03% to 8549.7 points by 2:03pm AEST.
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.