ASX/200 Closed Lower by 0.37%, Dragged down by Energy

By the end of the trading session on 17 February 2025, the benchmark index S&P/ASX 200 closed lower by 0.37% and settled at 8,524.20. Out of 11 sectors, 07 ended higher along with the S&P/ASX 200.

Consumer Staples and A-REIT are the top-gaining sectors, gaining 1.20% and 0.88% % in their index value. On the other hand, Energy and Financial is the top-losing sector, losing 1.51% and 1.39% in their index value.

Audinate Group Limited (ASX: AD8) and The A2 Milk Company Limited (ASX: A2M) are the top-gaining stocks, gaining 28.232% and 18.823% in their stock prices. On the other hand, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX: BEN) and AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) went down by 15.761% and 4.698% respectively are the top-losing stocks.

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Top gainer for the day:

• Consumer Staples (Up 1.20%)
• A-REIT (Up 0.88%)

Top loser for the day:

• Energy (Down 1.51%)
• Financial (Down 1.39%)

Other Factors influencing the market:

• BlueScope Steel saw an 11.3% surge in its stock price after increasing its interim dividend to 30¢ per share. CEO Mark Vassella attributed the growth to a 20% rise in U.S. steel prices, where the company derives approximately 45% of its earnings, following the imposition of tariffs.
• Lendlease rebounded from earlier losses, closing 0.3% higher. The company’s latest financial report showed a 7.8% drop in revenue, but net profit improved significantly to $39 million, recovering from a $173 million loss recorded a year ago.
• Aurizon, the rail haulage company, declined 1.3% after warning that its full-year profit might fall on the lower end of forecasts. The company's net profit dropped 2% to $233 million, impacted by weaker earnings from both its bulk and coal segments.
• Star Entertainment, facing financial challenges, climbed 10% after Oaktree proposed a $650 million debt refinancing deal, providing much-needed financial relief to the casino operator.
• The Australian dollar strengthened to a two-month high of US63.72¢ on Monday afternoon as weak U.S. economic data fueled speculation of potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
• Gold prices stabilized after experiencing their biggest one-day drop in two months, as investors reassessed whether the metal's recent rally had been excessive.
• U.S. markets saw mixed performance—Dow Jones fell 0.37%, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.01%. However, the NASDAQ outperformed, gaining 0.41%.
• Global indices were also in the red, with Hang Seng down 0.80% and the FTSE 100 declining 0.37%.

Top 5 Gainers and Losers Scoreboard

90-Day Average Volume Outlier:

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