What is the S&P/ASX 200?

It is a benchmark index tracking large companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Which companies led the gains today?

ARB Corporation (ASX:ARB), Seek (ASX:SEK), and A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) were among the top gainers.

Which sectors weighed on the index?

Health care, energy, and industrials contributed the most to the declines.

ASX 200 shares end lower as health care and energy weigh on index

3 min read | August 20, 2025 03:05 PM AEST | By Team Kalkine Media

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ASX 200 shares end lower as health care and energy weigh on index — Image source: Shutterstock

Gainers on the Index

Among the strongest performers, ARB Corporation (ASX:ARB) recorded notable gains following sustained momentum in the automotive sector. Seek (ASX:SEK) also advanced sharply, with the workforce services provider reaching multi-year highs. A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) posted solid gains as well, marking strength within consumer staples.

Declines Led by Health Care and Industrials

Health care led declines on the day, with CSL (ASX:CSL) retreating significantly to levels not seen in several years. Polynovo (ASX:PNV) also weakened, extending the downside in the sector. Reliance Worldwide (ASX:RWC) was another prominent laggard, reflecting weakness within industrials.

Performance Across Other Indices

Broader market indices showed mixed trends. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX edged lower, signaling calmer conditions despite the weakness in equities. Meanwhile, the All Ordinaries index also reflected broad declines, with falling stocks outweighing advancing ones.

Commodities and Currency Moves

Commodities showed varied movement during the session. Gold futures ended higher, providing resilience in precious metals. Crude oil and Brent oil contracts both softened, mirroring global energy price movements. On the currency side, the Australian dollar eased against the Japanese yen while maintaining steadiness against the US dollar. The US Dollar Index saw a minor dip through the session.

Sector Snapshot

The health care segment faced the most pressure, followed by energy and industrials. In contrast, gains in consumer-facing stocks such as A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) and automotive-linked ARB Corporation (ASX:ARB) offset part of the broader decline. Workforce solutions provider Seek (ASX:SEK) also strengthened the consumer services segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the S&P/ASX 200?
It is a benchmark index tracking large companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Which companies led the gains today?
ARB Corporation (ASX:ARB), Seek (ASX:SEK), and A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) were among the top gainers.
Which sectors weighed on the index?
Health care, energy, and industrials contributed the most to the declines.

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