SYDNEY — Australian shares finished slightly lower on Thursday as heavy losses in mining and technology stocks offset gains across much of the broader market.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 8.2 points, or 0.09 per cent, to close at 8,719.7. The broader All Ordinaries Index dropped 28.6 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 8,840.4.
Mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto led the losses among major stocks. BHP shares slumped 4.7 per cent to A$58.00, while Rio Tinto fell 4.85 per cent to A$152.70. Fortescue also declined 1.96 per cent to A$15.02.
The sell-off reflected mounting concerns about commodity demand, global technology valuations and the outlook for US interest rates. Investors also weighed uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence investment and potential restrictions on China’s chip supply.
Technology stocks faced additional pressure. NextDC plunged 7.42 per cent, while Xero dropped 3.04 per cent and Codan lost 2.62 per cent. Weakness across global technology markets added to the pressure on Australian growth stocks.
Australian Unemployment Rises to 4.7%
Australia’s labour market delivered another warning sign for the economy. Employment fell by 39,300 in September, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.7 per cent, its highest level in nearly five years.
The weaker employment figures reduced expectations of another Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate increase in November. However, persistent inflation means investors cannot rule out further monetary tightening later this year.
Financial stocks helped cushion the broader market decline as investors reassessed the interest rate outlook. Seven of the ASX’s 11 major sectors finished higher, highlighting the uneven performance across the Australian share market.
The Australian dollar also weakened against the US dollar, trading at around US69.53 cents.
What Australian Investors Should Watch Next
Investors will be watching upcoming inflation figures, RBA policy signals and movements in global commodity prices for clues about the market’s next direction.
Mining shares remain sensitive to movements in iron ore, copper and other industrial commodities. Technology stocks, meanwhile, could face continued volatility as investors reassess valuations and the sustainability of artificial intelligence-related investment.
For Australian investors, Thursday’s session highlights the importance of looking beyond the headline index. Although the ASX 200 recorded only a modest decline, losses among major miners and technology companies were considerably sharper.
The next major test will be whether weaker employment data helps ease interest rate concerns or whether persistent inflation continues to weigh on market sentiment.
Market data: Australian market close, 15 October 2026. Figures are historical closing data, not live prices.
Editor : Fanda Yosephta
