Australian stocks saw a decline at the close of trading on Wednesday, as losses in the Energy, Resources, and Information Technology sectors weighed on the overall market sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index in Sydney ended the day with a 0.46% drop.
Among the standout performers on the S&P/ASX 200 were Omni Bridgeway Ltd (ASX: OBL), which saw a notable increase of 3.41% or 0.07 points, closing at 1.97. Additionally, Domain Holdings Australia Ltd (ASX: DHG) added 3.29%, equivalent to 0.13 points, to conclude the session at 4.08. Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) also exhibited strength, recording a 3.29% gain of 0.08 points to reach 2.51 in late trading.
Conversely, the session had its share of laggards, with Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) experiencing a significant decline of 7.25% or 0.10 points, settling at 1.22 at the closing bell. Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) wasn’t far behind, as it dipped 6.55% or 0.06 points to close at 0.79. St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) also registered a 5.00% decline, equivalent to 0.01 points, finishing at 0.19.
On the Sydney Stock Exchange, falling stocks outpaced advancing ones, with 735 stocks on the decline, 483 on the rise, and 423 closing unchanged.
Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) shares hit a 5-year low, declining by 7.25% to 1.22, while Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) reached an all-time low, falling 6.55% to 0.79.
The S&P/ASX 200 VIX, which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, saw a decrease of 7.66% to 11.08.
In the commodities market, Gold Futures for December delivery decreased by 0.20%, or 3.95, to reach $1,949.75 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, in crude oil trading, the November delivery contract fell by 0.99%, or 0.90, to settle at $89.58 per barrel, and the November Brent oil contract declined by 0.98%, or 0.92, closing at $93.42 per barrel.
The AUD/USD exchange rate remained largely unchanged, with a minimal increase of 0.06% to 0.65, while AUD/JPY recorded a modest rise of 0.22% to 95.64.
The US Dollar Index Futures exhibited a marginal decrease of 0.01%, closing at 104.82.
