Key Points:
- The S&P/ASX 200 index declined 0.11%, with losses predominantly observed in the Telecoms Services, Healthcare, and A-REITs sectors.
- Mesoblast Ltd (ASX:MSB), St Barbara Ltd (ASX:SBM), and Austal Ltd (ASX:ASB) were among the top performers in the Sydney stock market.
- Conversely, Orora Ltd (ASX:ORA), Zip Co Ltd (ASX:ZIP), and Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) suffered significant losses.
- 655 stocks declined, 556 advanced, and 350 remained unchanged. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX rose by 1.84%.
Australian stocks experienced a downturn in Tuesday’s trading session, with losses predominantly observed in the Telecoms Services, Healthcare, and A-REITs sectors, resulting in a decline in share values. At the close in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index lost 0.11%, reflecting the prevailing negative sentiment among investors.
Among the top performers on the S&P/ASX 200 was Mesoblast Ltd (ASX:MSB), which surged by an impressive 71.17% or 0.39 points, reaching 0.95 at the close. Similarly, Austal Ltd. (ASX:ASB) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX:SBM) recorded notable gains, adding 10.45% and 8.57%, respectively, in late trade.
Conversely, Orora Ltd. (ASX:ORA) emerged as one of the worst performers, witnessing a significant decline of 14.71% or 0.40 points to trade at 2.32 at the close. Zip Co. Ltd. (ASX:ZIP) and Megaport Ltd. (ASX:MP1) also faced losses, declining by 7.91% and 6.54%, respectively.
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Sydney Stock Exchange, with 655 stocks declining, 556 advancing, and 350 remaining unchanged. Shares in Orora Ltd (ASX:ORA) plummeted to 3-year lows. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, rose by 1.84% to 9.97, indicating a slightly increased level of volatility.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for June delivery surged by 0.78% or 17.55 to $2,274.65 a troy ounce. Meanwhile, Crude oil for delivery in May rose by 0.51% or 0.43 to hit $84.14 a barrel, and the June Brent oil contract increased by 0.49% or 0.43 to trade at $87.85 a barrel.
The AUD/USD pair remained relatively stable in currency markets, showing a minor change of 0.05% to 0.65, while the AUD/JPY pair rose by 0.09% to 98.50. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures showed a slight increase of 0.03%, reaching 104.80.
