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The S&P/ASX 200 concluded the trading day down 17.7 points, representing a decline of 0.21%. Despite reaching a new all-time high earlier in the week, the excitement seemed overshadowed by significant movements within the ASX Energy Sector (XEJ), which surged by 4.7% due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, causing crude oil prices to spike. Notable gains were observed in leading energy companies: Woodside Energy (WDS) rose by 7.4%, Santos (STO) increased by 3.7%, and Karoon Energy (KAR) led the pack with a 10.9% gain.
In the face of these developments, gold also emerged as a safe haven, boosting the Gold Sub-index (XGD) by 4.2%, with defence and critical minerals stocks taking part in this trend. However, rising oil prices negatively impacted companies like Qantas Airways (QAN), which saw its shares fall by 4.9%, illustrating the broader market’s tumultuous response to geopolitical events.
Market Overview
As of Friday, 13 June 2025, 5:03 PM (AEST):
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Major Indices:
- ASX 200: 8,547.4 (-0.21%)
- All Ords: 8,770.6 (-0.29%)
- Small Ords: 3,256.1 (-0.39%)
- All Tech: 3,969.2 (-1.71%)
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Currency:
- AUD/USD: 0.6524
- US Futures:
- S&P 500: 6,042.5 (+0.22%)
- Dow Jones: 42,943.0 (-0.11%)
- Nasdaq: 21,909.0 (+0.10%)
Key Sector Performance
- Energy: +4.70%
- Utilities: +4.23%
- Consumer Staples: +0.25%
- Materials: -0.24%
- Information Technology: -1.22%
Energy Sector Highlights
Despite strong gains in energy stocks, uranium companies faced challenges, attributed to a decrease in uranium prices, as reflected in the market reports.
Notable Gainers in the Energy Sector
| Company | Last Price | Change $ | Change % | 1-month % | 1-year % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karoon Energy (KAR) | $1.985 | +$0.195 | +10.9% | +18.2% | +17.5% |
| Woodside Energy (WDS) | $25.21 | +$1.74 | +7.4% | +13.0% | -6.9% |
| Santos (STO) | $6.96 | +$0.25 | +3.7% | +8.4% | -7.1% |
Key Losers from Middle East Tensions
| Company | Last Price | Change $ | Change % | 1-month % | 1-year % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Airways (QAN) | $10.19 | -$0.53 | -4.9% | +2.0% | +67.1% |
| Flight Centre Travel (FLT) | $12.43 | -$0.67 | -5.1% | -10.3% | -36.4% |
Chart Insights
Recent technical analyses indicated a mixed sentiment. Notable upward movements were observed in energy and gold sectors linked to geopolitical uncertainties. Conversely, significant downward pressure on certain stocks, particularly those dependent on stable fuel prices, suggests joint volatility across the market.
The overall sentiment for the week showed the ASX 200 finishing with a net gain of 31.7 points, marking a 0.37% increase from the previous week despite the tumultuous close.
Economic Indicators
No significant economic data was released today, although key updates are anticipated over the weekend, including consumer sentiment and inflation expectations from the USA.
Conclusion
Tensions in the Middle East have shifted market dynamics notably, boosting energy and defensives while pulling down travel and airline stocks. As we look ahead, the question remains: will these elevated tensions sustain the upward trends in energy and critical minerals, or will stability return as the risk narratives evolve? The week ended with an air of uncertainty, typical of markets responding to geopolitical developments, leaving traders on alert for the upcoming week’s trading.
