ASX 200 Extends Slide Amid U.S. Strike Concerns, Price Pressures

Australia's ASX 200 fell 67 points, or 0.8%, to finish at 8,661 on Wednesday, marking a second straight session of decline and nearing a one-week low. Sentiment weakened after U.S. stock futures slipped as President Donald Trump ruled out a deal with Iran, with reports suggesting the U.S. military is preparing possible strikes ahead of the midterms. Domestically, October inflation expectations climbed to a four-month high, underscoring persistent price pressures from elevated global energy costs even as the Reserve Bank continues its policy tightening. Losses were broad, led by tech, non-energy minerals, industrial services, and logistics. The four major banks each shed around 1.5%, while BHP Group dropped 2.0% and Rio Tinto slid 2.9%. Fortescue dipped 1.4% amid a standoff with China Mineral Resources Group over long-term iron ore contracts. Other notable laggards included Lottery Corp. (-3.8%), Xero (-3.0%), and Endeavor Group (-1.7%).