FY26 Reporting Calendar in PDF Format: Here and in Excel Format: Here
The ASX 200 recovered from a weak start to finish +42pts higher today, a good ~80pt turnaround from the lows with utilities, industrials and consumer discretionary stocks leading the advance. Australian futures had initially pointed to a decline of around 1%, but sentiment improved after President Donald Trump called off planned strikes against Iran and pushed for renewed negotiations, reducing the immediate risk of a larger regional conflict.
The prospect of diplomacy sent Brent crude sharply lower (-5.6%) and weighed on energy producers, while interest-rate-sensitive and domestic growth stocks attracted buying. Corporate activity also remained elevated, with takeover developments involving FleetPartners and Steadfast adding to the positive vibe.
- ASX 200: +42.50pts / +0.47% to 9,019.30
- AUD/USD: 0.7035 / +0.23%
- Best sectors: Utilities +2.10%, Industrials +1.36%, Consumer Discretionary +1.10%
- Worst sectors: Energy -1.19%, Communications -0.01%, REITs +0.01%
- 4DMedical (4DX) +9.09% to $3.96 was the strongest stock in the ASX 200, extending its recent recovery as investors returned to higher-beta healthcare and growth names.
- DroneShield (DRO) +7.08% to $1.82 rebounded after recent margin-related weakness, while Catalyst Metals (CYL) +6.67% to $5.76 rallied alongside renewed interest in selected gold producers.
- Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DMP) +6.25% to $19.73 continued its strong recovery following last week’s FY26 profit update, which showed improved cash generation and lower leverage despite substantial non-cash write-downs.
- Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) +5.88% to $5.22 rallied as investors returned to heavily sold-down consumer names ahead of the August reporting season.
- Netwealth Group (NWL) +3.94% to $22.43 and Pinnacle Investment Management (PNI) +3.38% to $16.52 were among the stronger financial and wealth-management names.
- Lovisa Holdings (LOV) +3.73% to $24.75 and Qantas Airways (QAN) +3.72% to $10.32 also benefited from improving risk appetite and the sharp decline in oil prices.
- Neuren Pharmaceuticals (NEU) +3.28% to $18.59 advanced, while healthcare more broadly provided support to the index.
- Origin Energy (ORG) +2.88% led utilities higher as its shares continued to recover following last month’s data breach. The stock was also supported by recent evidence of growing electricity demand from data-centre customers.
- Iluka Resources (ILU) +2.81%, Vulcan Energy Resources (VUL) +2.75% and Liontown Resources (LTR) +2.59% gained as investors returned to selected battery-material and critical-mineral exposures.
- WEB Travel Group (WEB) +2.63% extended last week’s rally following its stronger-than-expected first-half guidance and $90m share-buyback announcement.
- Xero (XRO) +1.87% to $71.31 and WiseTech Global (WTC) +1.21% advanced despite renewed evidence that Chinese AI developers are rapidly closing the capability gap with US peers. Alibaba released its Qwen3.8-Max model, claiming performance comparable with leading Anthropic models.
- Alibaba (BABA) was trading +7% higher in Hong Kong – a stock we hold in the International Equities Portfolio.
- The major banks were generally firmer ahead of reporting season. National Australia Bank (NAB) +0.65% to $41.60, Westpac (WBC) +0.79% to $38.17 and Commonwealth Bank (CBA) +0.21% to $177.90 gained, while ANZ Group (ANZ) -0.05% to $37.29 finished essentially unchanged.
- BHP Group (BHP) +0.68% to $60.72 edged higher, although Rio Tinto (RIO) -0.63% to $169.50 and Fortescue (FMG) -3.84% to $17.80 declined as iron ore futures fell.
- Fortescue extended last week’s weakness after flagging a US$525m after-tax impairment against Iron Bridge, while softer iron ore prices added further pressure.
- Steadfast Group (SDF) +2.94% advanced after a KKR-led consortium confirmed it intends to proceed with its $6-per-share proposal, valuing the insurance broker at around $7.7bn. Due diligence is largely complete, with exclusivity extended until 19 August.
- FleetPartners rallied sharply outside the ASX 200 after receiving an indicative $3.60-per-share takeover proposal from SG Fleet Topco, valuing the company at approximately $770m. SG Fleet is majority-owned by Pacific Equity Partners.
- Energy was the weakest sector as oil’s geopolitical premium unwound. Woodside Energy (WDS) -1.37% to $32.50, Santos (STO) -1.91% to $7.69 and Viva Energy Group (VEA) -2.11% to $2.79 all declined.
- Yancoal Australia (YAL) -1.80% to $5.47 and PLS Group (PLS) -1.69% to $4.08 were also among the weaker resource names.
- Generation Development Group (GDG) -2.19% to $4.02 gave back some of its recent gains, while Champion Iron (CIA) -2.93% to $3.31 fell as iron ore weakened.
- WTI crude: down 5.5% to ~US$79/bbl, after President Trump called off planned strikes against Iran and encouraged negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Gold: around US$4,060/oz, supported by easing expectations of another near-term US rate increase as lower oil prices reduced inflation concerns.
- Iron ore: -3% to US$93.75/t, weighing on Fortescue and selected bulk miners.
- Asian markets: South Korea’s Kospi fell as much as 5.5%, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each down around 9% as investors took profits following Friday’s record rebound.
- China fell -0.7%, Hong Kong was up +0.25% and Japan was up +0.1%
- S&P 500 E-mini futures: +44.50 points / +0.59%
- Dow E-mini futures: +294 points / +0.56%
