The ASX 200 fell 56 points, or 0.6%, to close at 8,728 on Wednesday, snapping recent gains as financials, consumer durables, and transport stocks dragged on the index. Caution prevailed ahead of key labor market data, following an August unemployment reading of 4.6%, the highest since late 2021.
Australia’s leading index slipped 0.1% in September, its first decline since May, pressured by higher fuel costs and rising borrowing rates. Some of the downside was limited by firmer U.S. stock futures ahead of a crucial inflation release, even as oil prices remained elevated.
In China, Australia’s largest trading partner, September CPI came in slightly below expectations, while producer prices rose more than forecast. At the same time, Chinese exports and imports reached record levels, supporting a robust trade surplus.
Among major movers on the ASX, the big four banks lost between 0.9% and 2.3%. Mining heavyweights BHP (-0.9%) and Rio Tinto (-0.3%) also underperformed. Other notable decliners included Genesis Minerals (-3.9%), Evolution Mining (-2.9%), and Qantas Airways (-2.2%).
