Highlights
- ASX 200 advances 0.57%, with all sectors closing in positive territory.
- Travel stocks like Webjet WEB surge amid optimistic economic indicators.
- Mining giants, including BHP Group BHP, lead materials sector growth.
The Australian sharemarket closed higher, buoyed by cooling inflation data that bolstered sentiment across all sectors. The ASX 200 index climbed 0.57% to finish at 8,406.7, with gains recorded across the board. Monthly CPI figures revealed a slower pace of inflation, marking the lowest annual headline rate since July 2021.
Travel Sector Soars
The consumer discretionary sector outperformed, led by Webjet (ASX:WEB), which recorded a substantial rally. The travel company benefited from strong demand trends, signaling resilience in the tourism and leisure market. Positive sentiment in the sector also lifted competitors such as Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) and Qantas (ASX:QAN), which posted notable gains.
Mining Strength Drives Materials
Mining companies played a key role in lifting the materials sector, which was among the top-performing segments of the day. BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) advanced on the back of firm commodity prices. Gold miners, including Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST), also contributed to the sector’s rise as gold maintained its position as a safe-haven asset amid global uncertainties.
Financials and Energy Stay Resilient
Financial stocks, led by the big four banks—Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA), Westpac (ASX:WBC), ANZ (ASX:ANZ), and NAB (ASX:NAB)—delivered steady gains, bolstering the broader market. In the energy sector, Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO) recorded modest increases, supported by stable oil prices.
Broader Market Sentiment
Cooling inflation figures provided a boost to consumer and business confidence, with all 11 ASX sectors closing in green territory. Technology stocks also joined the rally, with Xero (ASX:XRO) and WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) recording healthy gains.
The day’s performance underscores a broad-based recovery, driven by positive economic indicators and strength in key sectors like travel and mining.