Australian market
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slipped 0.1 per cent (–6 points) to close at 8,981.4, after earlier rising above the August 21 record of 9,019.1. The rally faltered amid a relatively subdued session and partial public holiday in parts of the country. Tech names led the retreat, with Iress Limited (ASX: IRE) down 2.3 per cent and WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) off 2.2 per cent, while only five of the 11 ASX sectors closed in the green.
Australian market — sector‑level drivers
Miners and utilities outperformed, cushioning the broader market weakness. Lynas Rare Earths Limited (ASX: LYC) surged ~7 per cent on reports of early China–Malaysia processing talks, reaching its highest since 2011. Strong gold and copper prices bolstered the likes of Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) (jumping ~2.3 per cent), Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) and Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN). On the copper side, Sandfire Resources Limited (ASX: SFR) rose ~4 per cent and Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) climbed ~5.5 per cent amid supply disruption concerns. Energy stocks also gained, with Ampol Limited (ASX: ALD) up 0.6 per cent and Woodside Energy Group Limited (ASX: WDS) up 0.7 per cent, supported by OPEC+’s modest production increase. In financials, ANZ Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) slid, while National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) edged higher.
Global market outlook
Overseas, U.S. markets extended gains despite the government shutdown, with the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq‑100 Index both registering fresh record closes. The rally was fuelled by AI‑driven dealmaking, particularly Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD), which climbed sharply on news of a multiyear chip supply agreement with OpenAI. Investors appeared to look past near‑term disruption, focusing instead on strong corporate earnings and the likelihood of further Federal Reserve rate cuts.
| Australian Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| ASX 200 | -0.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 5.5 | 13.0 |
| Financials | -0.4 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 23.4 |
| Resources | 0.7 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 17.6 | 10.2 |
| Information Technology | -1.1 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 6.9 | 24.0 |
| Global Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| US 500 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 6.4 | 22.0 |
| Europe | 0.0 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 23.1 |
| Japan | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 8.7 | 20.4 |
| China top 50 | -0.7 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 14.0 | 20.3 |
| India top 50 | 0.7 | 0.5 | -0.8 | -6.5 | -2.7 |
| Fixed Interest | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Australian Treasury Bond | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 4.2 |
| Australian Corporate Bond | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 5.2 |
| US Treasury | -0.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| Cash | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 4.2 |
| Commodities & Crypto | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Gold | 2.0 | 1.1 | 7.3 | 15.6 | 50.1 |
| Silver | 2.8 | 1.0 | 16.0 | 27.9 | 52.2 |
| Crude Oil | 1.3 | -4.0 | -0.9 | -5.0 | -10.0 |
| Bitcoin | 2.6 | 8.5 | 11.6 | 14.2 | 98.0 |