Overview

• Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.40% to 8,845.90 for a third straight gain, with the All Ordinaries up 0.39% to 9,137.80.
• Gold touched a fresh record, fueling outperformance in producers such as Northern Star, while Newmont advanced after pouring first gold at its Ahafo North project in Ghana.
• Large miners BHP and Rio Tinto advanced as China confirmed plans to curb steel output, with iron ore prices hovering near US$106–107 a tonne.
• Financials strengthened as all four major banks closed higher, helping offset weakness in consumer and healthcare names.
• Retail pressure deepened as Myer shares sank 25% after a sharp profit fall and a statutory net loss, with soft consumer confidence and recent jobs data weighing on sentiment.