ASX 200 Near Steady at Finish
The ASX 200 ended almost flat at 8,765 on Wednesday, as strength in consumer durables, industries, and non-energy minerals nearly offset declines in energy, tech, and healthcare. Local markets reversed early gains, with traders bracing for Australia's labor market data due Thursday and digesting September flash PMI showing slower services growth and weakness in factory output. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures edged higher after Wall Street’s near-record close Tuesday, aided by easing oil prices on momentum toward ending the war in the Middle East. Attention turned to Thursday’s bilateral summit between President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, with hopes for trade progress growing despite fragile ties. BHP jumped 1.4%, and Rio Tinto rose 0.8% on firmer copper as China stocked up ahead of holidays. Other top movers included Northern Star Resources (4.0%), Evolution Mining (2.2%), and Goodman Group (3.0%). Energy stocks dipped, however, weighed by Woodside Energy (-2.0%) and Santos (-1.8%).
The ASX 200 ended almost flat at 8,765 on Wednesday, as strength in consumer durables, industries, and non-energy minerals nearly offset declines in energy, tech, and healthcare. Local markets reversed early gains, with traders bracing for Australia's labor market data due Thursday and digesting September flash PMI showing slower services growth and weakness in factory output. S. stock futures edged higher after Wall Street’s near-record close Tuesday, aided by easing oil prices on momentum toward ending the war in the Middle East.
Attention turned to Thursday’s bilateral summit between President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, with hopes for trade progress growing despite fragile ties. 8% on firmer copper as China stocked up ahead of holidays. 0%). 8%).