Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.49% higher on Monday, with gains concentrated in metals, mining and materials sectors as commodity prices firmed.
The index advanced 37.98 points to 7,825.40 at the close in Sydney, extending a recent upward trend amid elevated global commodity demand. Advancers outnumbered decliners by a narrow margin, with 581 stocks rising against 551 falling, while 385 ended unchanged.
Top performers included Paladin Energy Ltd, which surged 10.68% to A$11.71, and IperionX Limited, up 10.03% at A$3.18. Ansell Ltd led late-session strength with a 9.74% gain to A$38.30, nearing five-year highs. The gains were partially offset by declines in NIB Holdings, down 9.12% at A$6.73, and Chorus Ltd, which fell 5.27% to A$7.55, marking a 52-week low.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, a measure of expected volatility, rose 1.23% to 10.64, reflecting modest investor caution. The Australian dollar held steady against the U.S. dollar, with AUD/USD flat at 0.72, while AUD/JPY dipped 0.13% to 113.87.
Commodity-linked equities benefited from firmer prices. Gold futures for December delivery climbed 0.39% to $4,698.71 per troy ounce, while Brent crude for November delivery fell 1.61% to $91.18 per barrel and U.S. crude for October delivery declined 1.86% to $85.44 per barrel.
The mixed performance across sectors underscored the index’s reliance on cyclical commodities, with gains in energy and materials offsetting weakness in defensive sectors such as healthcare and utilities.
