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.
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.
The Australian sharemarket edged higher on Thursday, buoyed by energy stocks, while weakness in the mining sector tempered broader gains. The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.2%, or 20.4 points, to 8417.3 by 2pm. The All Ordinaries also advanced 0.2%, with seven of 11 sectors trading in the green.
