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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australian stock market snaps five-week winning streak
Australia's share market has given up a five-week winning streak, as investors grapple with military conflict, global growth concerns and lofty valuations. The S&P/ASX200 fell 18.2 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5, as the broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5. Over the week, the top-200 stocks fell roughly 0.5 per cent. The slump came after six sessions of surging oil prices amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict and as US President Donald Trump flagged potential American military involvement within two weeks. The broader investor uncertainty then collided with heavy falls in big miners after weak economic data from China, as Rio Tinto plummeted to its lowest close since 2022, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told AAP. Five of 11 local sectors sectors improved on Friday, but a whopping 4.4 per cent drop in materials stocks over the week weighed on the bourse. "The big concern for the ASX200 going into the new financial year is the elevated valuations around these banks and that no one wants to touch these big miners," Mr Sycamore said. "There's been 23 months of falling house prices in China, and that doesn't augur well for the price of iron ore or for the price of the big miners, which remain an influential part of the index." Financials slipped 0.6 per cent on Friday to finish roughly flat for a second week, a day after CBA etched its latest record high of $183.31 a share. All four big banks closed in the red, with ANZ facing the sharpest decline with a 2.5 per cent slip to $28.39. In banking news, former federal coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham was appointed the Australian Banking Association's chief executive, replacing Anna Bligh after eight years at the helm. Australian energy stocks have had a massive week, surging almost 11 per cent since Israel launched air strikes on Iran last Friday. Woodside is up 7.7 per cent over the same period, while Santos has rallied 12 per cent. Oil prices hit their highest levels since January overnight as the conflict raged on, but eased to $US75.24 a barrel after Mr Trump's two-week decision window relieved fears of an immediate US attack. The IT sector had a surprisingly good week despite broader risk-off sentiment, edging 0.3 per cent higher since Monday's open. The Australian dollar is buying 64.76 US cents, up slightly from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm, coiling tightly near the mid-level of its recent range with the greenback. Looking ahead, while the Middle East conflict is likely to dominate headlines, it's also a massive week for macroeconomic data. Investors will be poring over local inflation figures, US economic growth, and manufacturing data for four of the world's seven largest economies. ON THE ASX: * The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Friday 18.2 points lower, or down 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5 * The broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5 CURRENCY SNAPSHOT: One Australian dollar buys: * 64.76 US cents, from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm * 94.13 Japanese yen, from 93.99 Japanese yen * 56.24 Euro cents, from 56.43 Euro cents * 48.09 British pence, from 48.27 pence * 108.05 NZ cents, from 108.34 NZ cents Australia's share market has given up a five-week winning streak, as investors grapple with military conflict, global growth concerns and lofty valuations. The S&P/ASX200 fell 18.2 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5, as the broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5. Over the week, the top-200 stocks fell roughly 0.5 per cent. The slump came after six sessions of surging oil prices amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict and as US President Donald Trump flagged potential American military involvement within two weeks. The broader investor uncertainty then collided with heavy falls in big miners after weak economic data from China, as Rio Tinto plummeted to its lowest close since 2022, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told AAP. Five of 11 local sectors sectors improved on Friday, but a whopping 4.4 per cent drop in materials stocks over the week weighed on the bourse. "The big concern for the ASX200 going into the new financial year is the elevated valuations around these banks and that no one wants to touch these big miners," Mr Sycamore said. "There's been 23 months of falling house prices in China, and that doesn't augur well for the price of iron ore or for the price of the big miners, which remain an influential part of the index." Financials slipped 0.6 per cent on Friday to finish roughly flat for a second week, a day after CBA etched its latest record high of $183.31 a share. All four big banks closed in the red, with ANZ facing the sharpest decline with a 2.5 per cent slip to $28.39. In banking news, former federal coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham was appointed the Australian Banking Association's chief executive, replacing Anna Bligh after eight years at the helm. Australian energy stocks have had a massive week, surging almost 11 per cent since Israel launched air strikes on Iran last Friday. Woodside is up 7.7 per cent over the same period, while Santos has rallied 12 per cent. Oil prices hit their highest levels since January overnight as the conflict raged on, but eased to $US75.24 a barrel after Mr Trump's two-week decision window relieved fears of an immediate US attack. The IT sector had a surprisingly good week despite broader risk-off sentiment, edging 0.3 per cent higher since Monday's open. The Australian dollar is buying 64.76 US cents, up slightly from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm, coiling tightly near the mid-level of its recent range with the greenback. Looking ahead, while the Middle East conflict is likely to dominate headlines, it's also a massive week for macroeconomic data. Investors will be poring over local inflation figures, US economic growth, and manufacturing data for four of the world's seven largest economies. ON THE ASX: * The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Friday 18.2 points lower, or down 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5 * The broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5 CURRENCY SNAPSHOT: One Australian dollar buys: * 64.76 US cents, from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm * 94.13 Japanese yen, from 93.99 Japanese yen * 56.24 Euro cents, from 56.43 Euro cents * 48.09 British pence, from 48.27 pence * 108.05 NZ cents, from 108.34 NZ cents Australia's share market has given up a five-week winning streak, as investors grapple with military conflict, global growth concerns and lofty valuations. The S&P/ASX200 fell 18.2 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5, as the broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5. Over the week, the top-200 stocks fell roughly 0.5 per cent. The slump came after six sessions of surging oil prices amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict and as US President Donald Trump flagged potential American military involvement within two weeks. The broader investor uncertainty then collided with heavy falls in big miners after weak economic data from China, as Rio Tinto plummeted to its lowest close since 2022, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told AAP. Five of 11 local sectors sectors improved on Friday, but a whopping 4.4 per cent drop in materials stocks over the week weighed on the bourse. "The big concern for the ASX200 going into the new financial year is the elevated valuations around these banks and that no one wants to touch these big miners," Mr Sycamore said. "There's been 23 months of falling house prices in China, and that doesn't augur well for the price of iron ore or for the price of the big miners, which remain an influential part of the index." Financials slipped 0.6 per cent on Friday to finish roughly flat for a second week, a day after CBA etched its latest record high of $183.31 a share. All four big banks closed in the red, with ANZ facing the sharpest decline with a 2.5 per cent slip to $28.39. In banking news, former federal coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham was appointed the Australian Banking Association's chief executive, replacing Anna Bligh after eight years at the helm. Australian energy stocks have had a massive week, surging almost 11 per cent since Israel launched air strikes on Iran last Friday. Woodside is up 7.7 per cent over the same period, while Santos has rallied 12 per cent. Oil prices hit their highest levels since January overnight as the conflict raged on, but eased to $US75.24 a barrel after Mr Trump's two-week decision window relieved fears of an immediate US attack. The IT sector had a surprisingly good week despite broader risk-off sentiment, edging 0.3 per cent higher since Monday's open. The Australian dollar is buying 64.76 US cents, up slightly from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm, coiling tightly near the mid-level of its recent range with the greenback. Looking ahead, while the Middle East conflict is likely to dominate headlines, it's also a massive week for macroeconomic data. Investors will be poring over local inflation figures, US economic growth, and manufacturing data for four of the world's seven largest economies. ON THE ASX: * The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Friday 18.2 points lower, or down 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5 * The broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5 CURRENCY SNAPSHOT: One Australian dollar buys: * 64.76 US cents, from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm * 94.13 Japanese yen, from 93.99 Japanese yen * 56.24 Euro cents, from 56.43 Euro cents * 48.09 British pence, from 48.27 pence * 108.05 NZ cents, from 108.34 NZ cents Australia's share market has given up a five-week winning streak, as investors grapple with military conflict, global growth concerns and lofty valuations. The S&P/ASX200 fell 18.2 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5, as the broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5. Over the week, the top-200 stocks fell roughly 0.5 per cent. The slump came after six sessions of surging oil prices amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict and as US President Donald Trump flagged potential American military involvement within two weeks. The broader investor uncertainty then collided with heavy falls in big miners after weak economic data from China, as Rio Tinto plummeted to its lowest close since 2022, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told AAP. Five of 11 local sectors sectors improved on Friday, but a whopping 4.4 per cent drop in materials stocks over the week weighed on the bourse. "The big concern for the ASX200 going into the new financial year is the elevated valuations around these banks and that no one wants to touch these big miners," Mr Sycamore said. "There's been 23 months of falling house prices in China, and that doesn't augur well for the price of iron ore or for the price of the big miners, which remain an influential part of the index." Financials slipped 0.6 per cent on Friday to finish roughly flat for a second week, a day after CBA etched its latest record high of $183.31 a share. All four big banks closed in the red, with ANZ facing the sharpest decline with a 2.5 per cent slip to $28.39. In banking news, former federal coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham was appointed the Australian Banking Association's chief executive, replacing Anna Bligh after eight years at the helm. Australian energy stocks have had a massive week, surging almost 11 per cent since Israel launched air strikes on Iran last Friday. Woodside is up 7.7 per cent over the same period, while Santos has rallied 12 per cent. Oil prices hit their highest levels since January overnight as the conflict raged on, but eased to $US75.24 a barrel after Mr Trump's two-week decision window relieved fears of an immediate US attack. The IT sector had a surprisingly good week despite broader risk-off sentiment, edging 0.3 per cent higher since Monday's open. The Australian dollar is buying 64.76 US cents, up slightly from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm, coiling tightly near the mid-level of its recent range with the greenback. Looking ahead, while the Middle East conflict is likely to dominate headlines, it's also a massive week for macroeconomic data. Investors will be poring over local inflation figures, US economic growth, and manufacturing data for four of the world's seven largest economies. ON THE ASX: * The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Friday 18.2 points lower, or down 0.21 per cent, to 8,505.5 * The broader All Ordinaries lost 17.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,723.5 CURRENCY SNAPSHOT: One Australian dollar buys: * 64.76 US cents, from 64.71 US cents on Thursday at 5pm * 94.13 Japanese yen, from 93.99 Japanese yen * 56.24 Euro cents, from 56.43 Euro cents * 48.09 British pence, from 48.27 pence * 108.05 NZ cents, from 108.34 NZ cents
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX slip on banks and miners in Friday training
Gains in the healthcare sector were offset by falls in the big four banks and major miners, with the local market falling for its fourth consecutive trading day on Friday. The ASX 200 dropped 18.20 points or 0.21 per cent to 8,505.50 on a quiet day of trading. The broader All Ordinaries slipped 17.90 points or 0.20 per cent to 8,723.50. Australia's dollar traded down against the US dollar and is now buying 64.83 US cents. On a mixed day for investors, strong gains out of the utilities and healthcare sectors were offset by falls from the big banks and miners. CSL shares jumped 0.63 per cent to $240.21, Pro Medicus gained 1 per cent to $276.81 and ResMed added 1.40 per cent to $39.16 on a strong day for the healthcare sector. Commonwealth Bank fell from a record high close on Thursday, down 0.2 per cent to $182.53. National Australia Bank slipped 0.5 per cent to $38.91, while Westpac came off 1.1 per cent to $33.21 and ANZ dropped to 2.5 per cent to $28.39. It was a mixed day for the big miners, with BHP eking out a small gain up 0.22 per cent to $36.21, while Rio Tinto fell 1.33 per cent to $102.17 and Fortescue dropped 0.54 per cent to $14.69. Overall five of the 11 sectors closed higher despite the market falling. On a reversal of trade in recent days, the price of oil and gold fell after the White House said US President Donald Trump would decide on strikes on Iran 'within the next two weeks' alleviating fears of an immediate escalation in the Middle East crisis. The price of crude oil futures fell 2.9 per cent to $US76.50 a barrel on the news, while gold futures also dropped 1.4 per cent to $US3,362 an ounce. AMP head of investment strategy and chief economist Shane Oliver said stocks remained at 'high risk' of a pullback as markets grappled with multiple economic concerns. 'Global and Australian shares have seen a strong rebound from their April lows – but they remain at high risk of a sharp near term pull back as the risk of an oil supply disruption flowing from the war with Iran is high and Trump's tariff threat is far from resolved,' he said. 'On the tariff front it is notable that the 9th July tariff deadline is rapidly approaching and no deals have been struck beyond that with the UK, with indications that some countries may end up with tariffs well above 10 per cent.' In company news, Pointsbet Holdings announced a temporary pause in trading. It comes as rival sports wagering company Betr announced a renewed takeover bid in what it is calling a superior proposal for Pointsbet compared to Japanese gaming giant Mixi. Web Travel shares are in the red down 0.44 per cent to $4.50 after announcing former Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah and JB Hi Fi director Melanie Wilson would be joining the board as independent non-executive directors.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Australian shares set for first weekly drop in six as Middle East conflict weighs
Australian shares fell to a two-week low in early trade on Friday, poised to snap a five-week winning streak, as escalating Middle East tensions dampened investor sentiment and softer metal prices weighed on local miners. The S&P/ASX 200 index was down 0.3% at 8,500 points, as of 0033 GMT. The benchmark has lost 0.6% so far this week, and on track for its first weekly decline in six weeks, if losses hold. Globally, investors stayed risk-averse as tensions between Iran and Israel continued to escalate, with Israel targeting nuclear sites in Iran amid a persistent absence of a ceasefire between the two long-standing adversaries. 'With US markets offline and no fresh news – other than speculation about the possibility of US intervention – related to the potential war between Israel and Iran, risk was taken off the table,' said Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst with Australian heavyweight miners lost 0.6%, hitting their lowest levels since April 17, as lower copper prices weighed on the metals sub-index. Mining behemoth BHP Group fell 0.3% while iron ore miner Rio Tinto lost 1%. For the week, miners have shed 4.5% so far, on track for their worst week since March 31. Australian shares hit 2-week low as miners, gold stocks fall; Fed holds rate The financials sub-index slipped 0.3%, with the 'Big Four' banks declining between 0.1% and 0.3%. Energy stocks traded largely flat as investors assessed the potential impact of Middle East tensions on global oil supply. Despite the subdued session, the sector has advanced 5.3% so far this week and is on track for its fourth straight weekly gain. Woodside Energy rose 0.7% while smaller rival Santos added 0.4%. Information technology firms lost 0.2% and Australian health stocks shed 0.3%. Markets in New Zealand were closed for a public holiday.
West Australian
17 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
How Xi's giant iron ore trader is shaking up a $200 billion market
Just three years after its founding, a Chinese government-run trader has become the single biggest force in the country's $200 billion market for iron ore imports. The rise of China Mineral Resources Group has allowed it to tame one of the world's wildest commodities markets — sending volatility in iron ore futures to a record low. It's also playing a role in negotiations with global mining companies, potentially shifting the balance of power between China's vast steel industry and major suppliers like Rio Tinto and BHP. CMRG is transforming a market that has been a thorn in the side of Chinese leaders for 15 years. Now its clout is such that its stockpiles have become akin to a national reserve, to be released when steelmakers are struggling or built up when prices are cheap, according to people familiar with its activities. 'The existence of CMRG is primarily aimed at fundamentally solving the problem of excessive dependence on iron ore imports,' said Bancy Bai, a ferrous metals analyst at consultancy Horizon Insights. 'It has established iron ore inventories in over a dozen major domestic ports.' Chinese authorities have long tried to smooth market fluctuations in markets ranging from local stocks and the yuan to key commodities, but iron ore has been an especially tricky market to manage. As the main raw material for China's one-billion-tonne steel industry, price spikes risk fuelling inflation in Asia's biggest economy. Ever since 2010 — when a system of annually negotiated contracts was ditched in favour of floating spot rates — Chinese officials and steel-mill executives have bemoaned the pricing power of iron ore majors like Rio, BHP and Brazil's Vale. During a COVID-era price surge in 2021, for example, the market became a key target for intervention as officials raised trading costs, censored industry research, urged inventory sales, and cajoled traders to halt 'malicious' speculation. President Xi Jinping's government created CMRG in 2022 with a mission to reshape China's relationship with its iron ore suppliers, taking on an intermediary role rather than leave China's fragmented steel industry at the mercy of miners and traders. CMRG is now the biggest trader of the commodity after elbowing out other players, according to market participants. It also represents more than half of China's steelmakers in talks with suppliers such as Rio Tinto and BHP, they said. Price action has been unusually placid in the past six months. While China's slowing economy and the downtrend in steel demand are a major reason, observers say CMRG has also played a role. 'A shift in marginal bargaining power from miners to mills was inevitable once peak steel passed in China,' said Joel Parsons, a Singapore-based portfolio manager at Drakewood Prospect Fund. 'The interesting question is to what extent CMRG may be accelerating the process.' Iron ore is bought and sold in different ways: on the spot market for individual, up-front shipments, or via longer-term term contracts linked to daily reference prices. After a halting start, CMRG has pushed into the spot market and had over 40 cargoes on the water as of June 19, according to an offer sheet reviewed by Bloomberg. Those included products from BHP and Rio. Vale has been absent. The Brazilian company hasn't struck spot deals with CMRG because it believes long-term contracts with Chinese mills are sufficient, said a person familiar with the matter. So far, none of the big miners currently supplies CMRG in term contracts. Talks on doing so were continuing, Simon Trott, Rio's chief executive of iron ore, said recently. CMRG, Rio, BHP and Vale all declined to comment. One advantage is that CMRG has more tolerance for losses because it's state-run, and as its presence has grown, more established trading houses have retreated, according to people familiar with the matter. The group has helped 'keep prices at the level they should be with supply and demand, rather than having those short term spikes,' Aurelia Waltham, analyst at Goldman Sachs, told a conference in Singapore last month. In an earlier note, the bank said CMRG could be holding as much as 20 million tonnes of ore at ports, based on conversations with steel mills. For those mills, getting on board with CMRG as a reliable, steady supplier is a no-brainer. But for miners, the consolidation is likely to weaken their bargaining power, setting the stage for a tussle over pricing for a long time to come. 'The unique structure of the iron ore market, with its concentrated supply from very low-cost producers and the specific quality demands, means that CMRG's leverage, while enhanced, will not be absolute,' said David Cachot, iron ore research director at Wood Mackenzie. Bloomberg
Bloomberg
17 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Xi's Giant Iron Ore Trader Is Shaking Up a $130 Billion Market
By and Alfred Cang Save Just three years after its founding, a Chinese government-run trader has become the single biggest force in the country's $130 billion market for iron ore imports. The rise of China Mineral Resources Group Co. has allowed it to tame one of the world's wildest commodities markets — sending volatility in iron ore futures to a record low. It's also playing a role in negotiations with global mining companies, potentially shifting the balance of power between China's vast steel industry and major suppliers like Rio Tinto Group and BHP Group.
