The ASX 200 finished little changed at 8,728 on Wednesday, as strength in utilities, healthcare, and industrial services was largely offset by weakness in technology, transport, and financial stocks. The subdued session came after three consecutive days of gains, with sentiment dampened by softer U.S. equity futures following fresh record highs on Wall Street on Tuesday, driven by a tech-led rally.
On the domestic front, September data signaled a slump in Australian industry activity, with businesses pointing to tighter access to finance and sustained cost pressures amid a renewed pickup in fuel-driven inflation.
Among major movers, BHP Group slipped 0.7% after agreeing to sell its Kambalda nickel concentrator and associated assets to Gold Fields, with completion targeted for 2027. The transaction comes after BHP suspended broader Western Australia nickel operations in 2024 due to oversupply in the market.
Three of the four major banks declined between 0.8% and 1.3%. Miners were a relative bright spot: Evolution Mining climbed 2.5%, Northern Star Resources gained 1.9%, PLS Group added 1.8%, and Lynas Rare Earths advanced 1.6%.
