Energy and Materials Lift the ASX From Three-Month Low ASX Market Wrap: Energy Leads Rebound on 16 September

The Australian sharemarket rebounded from its lowest close in three months on Wednesday, with energy and materials companies leading a cautious recovery.

The S&P/ASX 200 finished approximately 23 points, or 0.27 per cent, higher at 8,695.6 on 16 September. A second data source placed the closing index at 8,696.5, up 24 points or 0.28 per cent. The official close should be confirmed through a licensed feed before publication.

The broader All Ordinaries added 25.2 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 8,874.5.

Energy was the strongest sector, rising 2.19 per cent as Australian producers reflected the previous overnight increase in global oil prices. Woodside gained 2.84 per cent. Brent had settled near US$108.75 a barrel before the local session, although it later traded around US$107.68.

Materials advanced 1.28 per cent and provided the largest positive contribution to the index. Gold producers featured prominently among the strongest stocks, with Pantoro rising 9.3 per cent and St Barbara gaining 8.18 per cent. BCI Minerals added 7.48 per cent.

Financials fell 0.37 per cent, detracting from the benchmark despite earlier strength. Rate expectations remained a significant influence after Westpac joined the other major banks in forecasting a possible Reserve Bank increase in November. Higher rates can expand bank margins in some circumstances but also raise funding costs and increase the risk of loan stress and slower credit growth.

Technology remained weak. Life360 declined 5.46 per cent, while healthcare names that had rallied during Tuesday’s sell-off gave back ground. 4DMedical lost 5.35 per cent and Telix Pharmaceuticals fell 4.96 per cent.

James Hardie dropped 5.23 per cent. Codan moved against the weaker technology tone, gaining 7.51 per cent.

The session produced positive breadth, with more advancers than decliners among the largest 250 stocks, but the broader backdrop remains unsettled. Oil prices have revived inflation concerns, bond yields are elevated and investors are assessing the prospect of further monetary tightening in Australia and the United States.

The rebound therefore recovered only part of Tuesday’s 0.9 per cent decline. For Thursday, investors will be watching overnight central-bank developments, energy markets and whether gains can broaden beyond resources.

Market dashboard — 16 September 2026

S&P/ASX 200* Approximately 8,695.6, up 23.1 points or 0.27 per cent; verify the official closing print

All Ordinaries: 8,874.5, up 25.2 points or 0.28 per cent

Best-performing sector: Energy, up 2.19 per cent

Materials: Up 1.28 per cent

Weak sector: Financials, down 0.37 per cent

Leading mover: Pantoro, up 9.30 per cent

Notable large-cap mover: Woodside, up 2.84 per cent

Notable loser: Sunrise Energy Metals, down 6.22 per cent

Life360: Down 5.46 per cent

Australian dollar: About US71.3 cents in the preceding market snapshot

Gold: Approximately US$4,375 an ounce in the afternoon snapshot

Brent crude: Approximately US$107.68 a barrel in the afternoon snapshot

Australian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market.

The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index.

Energy was the notable exception, gaining more than one per cent as Brent crude traded above US$103 a barrel. Oil had moved higher amid uncertainty surrounding potential US diesel-export restrictions and broader geopolitical supply risks. The move supported energy producers but renewed concern about inflation inputs across transport and the wider economy.

Gold shares were weak even as spot bullion remained historically elevated. The All Ordinaries Gold index fell about 2.25 per cent, showing that equity performance can diverge from the commodity because of valuation, currency, operating and company-specific factors.

Zip was a prominent loser, falling 11.38 per cent after the company reported short sales after the previous close. Nine Entertainment also weakened after UBS analysts warned of near-term revenue challenges associated with its advertising-supported subscription tier.

Premier Investments led larger winners despite caution about the retail environment. Breville, in which Premier owns a significant stake, also appeared among leading movers. In the broader ASX 300 screen, Myer gained 11.43 per cent and MAAS Group rose 7.93 per cent, while Lotus Resources fell 10.53 per cent. These percentage moves should be checked against company announcements and trading liquidity before attributing causes.

The Australian dollar was broadly flat at US70.38 cents. Spot gold was around US$4,280 an ounce, Brent crude approximately US$103.08 a barrel and iron ore near US$96.90 a tonne late in the session.

The rate outlook remains the central domestic catalyst. Labour-market weakness has not eliminated the possibility of an RBA increase next week, leaving banks, listed property and other rate-sensitive sectors exposed to changing expectations.

Market dashboard

S&P/ASX 200: 8,702, down 0.72 per cent.

All Ordinaries: 8,897, down 0.66 per cent.

Best sector: Energy, up more than one per cent.

Weakest areas: Real estate and materials were the major drags; confirm final sector percentages before publication.

Material winner: Premier Investments led the large-company gainers. Confirm its final closing move from the ASX before publication.

Material loser: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage leader: Myer, up 11.43 per cent.

ASX 300 percentage laggard: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.

AUD/USD: Approximately US$0.7038, broadly flat.

Energy and Materials Lift the ASX From Three-Month Low

The ASX 200 rose about 0.27% as energy and materials advanced. Woodside and gold miners gained while financials and technology weakened.