ASX/200 Closed Lower by 0.66%, Dragged down by Energy

By the end of the trading session on 18 February 2025, the benchmark index S&P/ASX 200 closed lower by 0.66% and settled at 8,481.00. Out of 11 sectors, 10 ended lower along with the S&P/ASX 200.

Healthcare is the top-gaining sector, gaining 0.41% in their index value. On the other hand, Energy and Financial is the top-losing sector, losing 1.44% and 1.30% in their index value.

The Star Entertainment Limited (ASX: SGR) and HMC Capital Limited (ASX: HMC) are the top-gaining stocks, gaining 14.814% and 9.697% in their stock prices. On the other hand, Challenger Limited (ASX: CGF) and Bapcor Limited (ASX: BAP) went down by 9.299% and 7.255% respectively are the top-losing stocks.

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Top gainer for the day:

• Healthcare (Up 0.41%)

Top loser for the day:

• Energy (Down 1.44%)
• Financial (Down 1.30%)

Other Factors influencing the market:

• Seek's Market Movement: Seek saw an early gain but later declined by 0.3% by midday, even after increasing its interim dividend by 26% to 24¢ per share, fully franked. UBS maintained its “buy” rating but anticipates potential broker downgrades.
• HMC Capital's Surge: HMC Capital surged 12.8% after reporting a 45% rise in assets under management to $18.5 billion for the six months ending December, with private equity playing a key role in profit growth.
• Judo's Rally: Judo Bank jumped 10.6% following an upward revision in its margin guidance, now expected to reach the higher end of its previously stated 2.9% to 3% range.
• Deterra Royalties Decline: Shares of Iluka-backed Deterra Royalties slid 3.1% after reporting a net profit drop to just under $64 million in the first half of fiscal 2025, attributed to weaker iron ore prices.
• Aurizon's Gain: Aurizon rose 1.6% after reviving discussions about potentially separating its rail haulage and rail track businesses, as earnings decline and its stock trades near historic lows.
• Oil Prices Hold Steady: Oil prices stabilized following gains, as OPEC+ officials considered delaying production increases, while Ukrainian drone attacks targeted a crude-pumping station in Russia.
• Global Market Performance: U.S. markets had mixed results—Dow Jones slipped 0.37%, and the S&P 500 declined 1.01%, while NASDAQ gained 0.41%.
•  In international markets, the Hang Seng climbed 1.91%, and the FTSE 100 rose 0.41%.

Top 5 Gainers and Losers Scoreboard

90-Day Average Volume Outlier:

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