The ASX 200 added 30 points, or 0.3%, to finish at 8,823, supported by gains across miners, energy stocks and consumer names. Investors moved to recoup recent losses as sentiment stabilized, even as weaker U.S. stock futures reflected heightened tensions in the Middle East. President Donald Trump played down the likelihood of near-term talks, while U.S. forces carried out an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran on Tuesday.
Domestically, attention shifted to upcoming Australian labour market data and the July flash PMIs, due Thursday and Friday, respectively. The mining sector advanced 2.5% on stronger copper prices, underpinned by firm Chinese demand and declining inventories. BHP climbed 2.3%, while Rio Tinto rose 2.5%.
Energy stocks gained 1.7%, led by Woodside, up 1.3%, and Santos, up 1.0%. Among gold producers, Evolution Mining jumped 4.3% and Northern Star rose 3.5%.
In contrast, Lynas Rare Earths fell 3.6% to a five-month low after warning of cost overruns at its Malaysian expansion project and reporting quarterly revenue that missed expectations.
