Concerns that the Federal Budget could reduce demand for equities contributed to a 1.3% weekly decline in the Australian market.
With nearly all investors now subject to a minimum 30% capital gains tax on investment profits, the market fell for four consecutive sessions as mining companies retreated following a drop in copper prices.
On Friday, the ASX 200 declined 9.90 points, or 0.1%, to 8630.80 points, despite only two of the 11 sectors showing weakness.
Major Miners Retreat from Record Highs
Weaker mining shares pulled the materials sector down 3% as copper prices cooled and gold slumped toward $4,600 an ounce.
Traders linked the drop in gold to higher U.S. inflation figures, which may disrupt the U.S. Federal Reserve's anticipated path of lowering official interest rates. BHP Group's (ASX: BHP) remarkable week of hitting three consecutive record highs ended abruptly as its shares fell 2.6% to $60.46. A similar pattern was seen for iron ore producer Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), whose shares ended a four-session streak of record highs with a 3.2% drop to $185.75.
Sharp Declines for Gold Miners
Falls in the gold sector were even more pronounced, with Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) shares dropping 5.5% to $12.50 as a typical example. The sale of 1.75 million shares for $122.5 million by Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) Managing Director Chris Ellison was not a positive signal for other shareholders, as the company's shares fell a significant 7.7% to $64.77.
This marked Chris Ellison's first on-market disposal in nine years and did not bolster confidence in the company. Weakness among mining stocks even affected the lithium sector, with Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) shares down 6% to $2.35.
Technology Shares Rebound
Technology shares told a completely different story, rebounding strongly after a weak session on Thursday. Xero (ASX: XRO) shares followed a 9% drop on Thursday with an 8.1% rebound to $79.67. WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) shares jumped 3.7% to $38.01, while the rapidly rising Megaport (ASX: MP1) added 2.4% to $12.88 after an impressive 28% rally on Thursday.
The major banks, which entered a tailspin after the Budget's clampdown on negative gearing raised fears that loan growth would vanish, experienced a muted recovery on Friday.
Bank Shares Gradually Recovering
Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) shares followed their notable 10.4% post-Budget dive on Wednesday with a 1.9% rise on Friday to $159.40. ANZ (ASX: ANZ) shares were also stronger, up 1.1% to $35.21, while Westpac (ASX: WBC) shares rose a modest 0.3% to $35.84, and National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) shares increased 0.3% to $36.52.
There were some notable company-specific moves, with Treasury Wine Estates (ASX: TWE) shares up 1.9% to $4.25 after a significant show of confidence from French billionaire Olivier Goudet, who increased his stake in Australia's largest wine company by $31 million, raising his holding by 0.9% to 9.04%.
Defense Sector Advances
Shares in Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) added 4.1% to $8.82 as the company prepares to soon take control of the MARSS defense technology business.
MARSS has secured €102 million ($165 million) in new orders this month from an existing Middle East customer. Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) shares rose 1.6% to $2.51 after striking a $400 million deal to acquire the Eastern Creek Quarter retail precinct in western Sydney from Frasers Property.
The deal is scheduled to settle on June 30. Ventia Services (ASX: VNT) shares climbed 2.2% to $6.03 after renewing a maintenance services contract with Yarra Valley Water in a deal valued at $405 million over nine years.
The Week Ahead
With the ongoing strength of the AI narrative remaining a key driver in global markets, Wednesday will be a significant day as semiconductor giant NVIDIA reports its earnings.
Alongside other semiconductor companies that are crucial suppliers to the AI boom, they have experienced an incredible run, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Sector Index now up 34% over the past month and 153% over the past year.
A series of other U.S. companies are set to report in the coming weeks, with highlights including Home Depot, Keysight Technologies, Analog Devices, Lowe's, Intuit, Target, Hasbro, Walmart, Deere & Company, and Ralph Lauren.
It is also a busy week for U.S. economic data releases, including housing starts, purchasing managers' indices, and jobless claims.
Will Interest Rates Continue to Rise?
Locally, April unemployment figures will be the main focus, but investors will also closely monitor a speech by Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Sarah Hunt for any clues about the Australian economic outlook, as well as the latest RBA board minutes following its decision to raise the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35%.
Several Australian companies are also scheduled to provide earnings updates, including ALS, New Hope Corporation, Elders, Catapult Group, Technology One, James Hardie Industries, Goodman Group, Webjet, and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.