Daily Market Update: 25 June 2026

ASX snaps losing streak as inflation keeps rate risks alive

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended four consecutive sessions of losses on Wednesday, rising 21.4 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8808.40 as eight of the 11 sectors advanced. Investors assessed mixed May inflation data, with headline inflation easing to 4 per cent while the Reserve Bank of Australia’s preferred measure rose above expectations to 3.6 per cent, keeping the prospect of further rate rises in focus. The Australian dollar touched an 11-week low of US68.99¢ before recovering to US69.15¢.

Technology and healthcare gains offset energy and materials weakness

Technology led the local rebound, with Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) surging 8.2 per cent to $70.31 after Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) said its UK price increases reflected confidence in its market position, while WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) jumped 14.3 per cent to $32.86 as traders bought after recent weakness. Healthcare also strengthened, with CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) up 2.6 per cent to $114.99, and Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD; NYSE: RMD) and Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) each rising by about 3.5 per cent, while investors revisited defensive names including Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH). Energy lagged as Brent crude fell 0.8 per cent to US$76.50, with Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) down 1.4 per cent and Beach Energy Limited (ASX: BPT) falling 8.5 per cent, while weaker gold and copper weighed on Ora Banda Mining Limited (ASX: OBM), Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM; NYSE: NEM) and BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP). In company news, Baby Bunting Group Limited (ASX: BBN) fell 10.6 per cent after cutting its second-half profit forecast, KMD Brands Limited (ASX: KMD) dropped 4.6 per cent after announcing a share consolidation plan, and Tasmea Limited (ASX: TEA) rose 6.9 per cent after acquiring JPS Group (unlisted) and reaffirming its 2026 financial year earnings guidance.

United States markets mixed as semiconductor weakness weighs on technology

United States equities closed mixed as losses across large technology stocks offset support from lower Treasury yields, with the S&P 500 Index (INDEX: SPX) down 0.1 per cent and the Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) losing 0.4 per cent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: DJI) rose 182 points on its stronger exposure to traditional sectors. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) slipped 0.4 per cent ahead of its earnings report after a 13 per cent fall in the previous session, while Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) declined 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively as concerns persisted about elevated artificial intelligence-related capital expenditure. Fundraising activity remained strong, with SK Hynix Inc. (KRX: 000660) reportedly seeking to raise US$29 billion through a United States listing, while the Dow’s technology exposure is set to rise as Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL; NASDAQ: GOOG) replaces Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ).