AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Highlights
- ASX 200 ended Christmas week on a positive note, closing at 8,251 points.
- Consumer Discretionary, Healthcare, and Financials sectors led gains in the market.
- Utilities was the only sector to finish in the red, dragged by Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) and APA Group (ASX:APA).
The ASX 200 delivered a strong performance during Christmas week, closing 29 points higher at 8,251, marking a third consecutive positive week for the Australian market. Despite thin trade due to the holidays, the festive period brought optimism to most sectors.
Leading Sectors and Key Performers
Consumer Discretionary led the market with a rise of 0.92%, bolstered by notable gains in retail stocks. Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) emerged as one of the standout performers, climbing 0.7% to $39.92. Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL) also contributed significantly, closing up 1.23%.
Healthcare followed as the second-best sector with a 0.58% increase, supported by strong investor sentiment across the board. Financials saw a rise of 0.51%, as all four major banks posted gains between 0.3% and 0.7%. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank (ASX:BEN) recovered from a temporary outage in its e-banking services, closing 0.3% higher at $13.22.
Industrials and Staples rounded out the winners, each posting a 0.39% uptick, reflecting overall market resilience during the holiday period.
Utilities Sector Declines Amid Broad Market Gains
Utilities was the only sector to close in the red, dropping 0.35%. This downturn was primarily driven by Origin Energy (ASX:ORG), which fell 0.3% to $10.89, and APA Group (ASX:APA), which experienced a similar decline to $28.82. Both companies faced pressure despite the broader market's positive momentum.
Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN), part of the energy sector, also faced challenges, recording a 3.21% decline to $7.55, making it one of the day’s steepest fallers.
Holiday Season and Thin Trading Volume
The Christmas season contributed to reduced trading volumes, as many market participants remained on the sidelines. However, the general upward trend in key sectors showcased market resilience.
Overall, the ASX 200’s third straight week of gains underscores a robust market sentiment, despite lighter trading during the holiday period. Most sectors ended on a positive note, with Consumer Discretionary, Healthcare, and Financials leading the way, while Utilities faced headwinds.
This festive performance sets an optimistic tone for the Australian market as the holiday season continues.
