Australia Stocks Decline at Market Close; S&P/ASX 200 Decreases by 0.21%

Australia’s stock market experienced a decline on Monday, with key sectors such as entertainment, technology, and finance leading the downturn.

By the end of trading in Sydney, the market index fell 0.21%, reaching a new one-month low.

Among the day’s top performers was Perenti Global Ltd, which increased by 10.60%, gaining 0.12 points to close at 1.20. St Barbara Ltd also saw gains, rising 4.90%, or 0.04 points, to finish at 0.75. Westgold Resources Ltd similarly climbed 4.86%, or 0.04 points, closing at 0.76.

Conversely, the day’s worst performers included Star Entertainment Group Ltd, which dropped 17.83%, or 0.46 points, to a closing price of 2.12. Polynovo Ltd fell 6.83%, or 0.14 points, to end at 1.91, while Pointsbet Holdings Ltd declined by 6.78%, or 0.12 points, settling at 1.65.

The Sydney Stock Exchange saw a greater number of declining stocks compared to advancing ones, with 724 declines, 533 advances, and 376 stocks remaining unchanged.

Perenti Global Ltd shares reached 52-week highs, up 10.60% to 1.20, while Star Entertainment Group Ltd and Pointsbet Holdings Ltd both fell to 52-week lows.

The index measuring implied volatility for S&P/ASX 200 options increased by 3.85%, reaching 12.23.

In commodity markets, February gold futures rose by 0.15%, or 2.75, to $1,802.95 per troy ounce. Crude oil for February delivery experienced an increase of 0.47%, or 0.35, hitting $74.81 per barrel, while February Brent oil gained 0.38%, or 0.30, to reach $79.34 per barrel.

The Australian dollar remained steady against the US dollar, while it dipped 0.16% against the Japanese yen. The US Dollar Index Futures saw a decrease of 0.24%, settling at 104.08.