Australian stocks finished the session in negative territory on Tuesday, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.33% by the close in Sydney.
Among individual performers, Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX:TPW) was the top gainer, advancing 4.24% - an increase of 0.24 points - to finish at 5.90. Meridian Energy Ltd (ASX:MEZ) rose 2.74%, or 0.13 points, to close at 4.88, and Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:TLX) gained 2.74%, adding 0.39 points to reach 14.60 at the end of trading.
On the downside, Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX:ILU) led declines, dropping 10.70% - a fall of 0.87 points - to end the day at 7.26. Technology One Ltd (ASX:TNE) declined 7.12%, or 2.13 points, to close at 27.73. Centuria Capital Ltd (ASX:CNI) was down 6.57%, losing 0.14 points to settle at 2.03.
Market breadth in Sydney showed more falling stocks than advancing ones, with 831 stocks down versus 352 up; 385 issues finished unchanged.
Volatility as measured by the S&P/ASX 200 VIX eased, declining 0.94% to 12.44.
Commodities moved lower in the session. Gold futures for August delivery were down 1.65%, a decline of 69.40, settling at $4,133.30 a troy ounce. Oil prices also fell: crude for August delivery decreased 1.29% or 0.95 to $72.91 a barrel, while the September Brent contract fell 1.26% or 0.98 to trade at $76.54 a barrel.
Foreign exchange changes included AUD/USD quoted at 0.70, described in reporting as unchanged 0.64%, and AUD/JPY which fell 0.56% to 112.50. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.04% at 100.83.
Summary of key market movers and metrics from the session:
- S&P/ASX 200: down 0.33% at close.
- Top gainers: TPW (+4.24% to 5.90), MEZ (+2.74% to 4.88), TLX (+2.74% to 14.60).
- Top losers: ILU (-10.70% to 7.26), TNE (-7.12% to 27.73), CNI (-6.57% to 2.03).
- Market breadth: 831 decliners, 352 advancers, 385 unchanged.
- VIX: S&P/ASX 200 VIX down 0.94% to 12.44.
- Commodities: Gold -1.65% to $4,133.30/oz; WTI crude -1.29% to $72.91/bbl; Brent -1.26% to $76.54/bbl.
- FX: AUD/USD reported at 0.70; AUD/JPY down to 112.50; US Dollar Index Futures up 0.04% at 100.83.
No additional market commentary or causal attribution is provided in the session data; the account above reflects reported closing prices, percentage moves and counts of advancers and decliners from the trading day.