Picture this: the Australian stock market is in a wild swing, with shares tumbling in a widespread sell-off that's got everyone on edge. But here's where it gets intriguing – amidst the dips, some stocks are soaring, sparking debates about what's really driving these market moves. Stick with us as we dive into the latest ASX 200 updates, where winners and losers are battling it out in real-time.
Updated October 7, 2025 – 2:14 PM, originally posted at 5:01 AM
Key Updates
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47 minutes ago – 2:14 PM
ASX experiences a broad sell-off; Web Travel surges; Broncos shares plummet
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59d00)
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1 hour ago – 1:50 PM
Brisbane Broncos stock falls 10%
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59czq)
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1 hour ago – 1:17 PM
Aware Super set to combine with TelstraSuper
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59czh)
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1 hour ago – 1:02 PM
Proxy adviser urges removal of James Hardie chairwoman and four directors
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59cze)
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3 hours ago – 12:17 PM
ASX declines as banking and consumer shares weaken; Web Travel climbs
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59cz2)
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4 hours ago – 11:30 AM
Solly Lew eyes a stake in Myer
(https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/asx-to-rise-amd-paces-tech-rally-on-wall-street-20251007-p5n0j1?post=p59cyf)
Jump to the most recent
Featured Update – 2:14 PM
Joanne Tran
On Tuesday afternoon, Australian equities took a hit during a sweeping market sell-off.
The key S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.3 percent, dropping 29.3 points to settle at 8952.1 around 2 PM AEDT. This downturn affected every sector, even as Wall Street wrapped up on a high note. For context, the tech-focused Nasdaq and the broader S&P 500 hit new record highs overnight, climbing 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent respectively. If you're new to this, think of the ASX as Australia's main stock exchange, similar to the NYSE in the US, where companies list their shares for trading.
Among the sectors, communication services fared the worst, shedding 1.2 percent. For beginners, this sector includes companies involved in media, telecom, and online services. Standouts in the decline included REA Group, which fell 2.2 percent, Seek dropping 2.5 percent, and CAR Group losing 3.5 percent.
The financials sector also turned red, with major player Commonwealth Bank edging down 0.1 percent. ASX Limited's shares tumbled 1.7 percent following the corporate regulator's green light for alternative exchange Cboe Australia's listing market bid. This move could ramp up competition for new company listings on the ASX, potentially shaking up how businesses raise capital – and this is the part most people miss, as it might lead to lower fees or more innovation in the long run.
Consumer-focused stocks weren't spared either, with Breville leading the losses on the ASX 200, down a hefty 5.1 percent. These are companies that sell directly to everyday shoppers, like appliances or retail goods.
Shifting to commodities, gold hit a new peak, approaching US$4000 per ounce, buoyed by expectations of US interest rate reductions and fears of an extended federal government shutdown in America, which often drives investors toward safe-haven assets like gold. The metal surged up to 2.2 percent to nearly US$3970 in New York's early trading. Shares in ASX's top gold miner, Newmont, rose 0.4 percent. For those unfamiliar, commodities are raw materials like gold or oil that can influence global markets due to supply and demand dynamics.
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Rio Tinto is doubling down on Western Australia's Pilbara region with a US$733 million (about AU$1.1 billion) expansion of an iron ore mine alongside Japanese partners. This fits into their larger commitment to invest US$20 billion over three years to sustain output. Iron ore is a crucial export for Australia, powering steel production worldwide – imagine how this could affect global construction and manufacturing.
Web Travel's shares jumped 2.5 percent after the hotel booking company, which split from Webjet, reported it's poised for record earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization in the 2026 fiscal year. This is great news for investors eyeing travel recovery post-pandemic.
Defence-tech firm DroneShield is allocating $13 million to construct a new research and development hub in Adelaide. Despite this, shares dipped 1 percent. Defence tech might sound niche, but it's growing rapidly with advancements in security and surveillance.
Gold miner St Barbara crashed 12.7 percent, marking the biggest loss on the All Ordinaries. The company secured institutional backing for a $58 million capital raise, minus fees. This kind of placement can dilute existing shareholders' value, which is a hot topic in mining circles.
And here's where it gets controversial: Brisbane Broncos shares nosedived 12.8 percent as traders cashed in profits after the rugby league team's 26 percent spike from clinching both the NRL and NRLW grand finals on Sunday. As Australia's sole publicly traded sports club, this raises eyebrows – should fans' passion translate into stock market volatility? Is it ethical for a club's success to enrich investors, or does it distract from the game itself?
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What are your thoughts on this market rollercoaster? Do you believe sports teams like the Broncos should be publicly listed, or is it a recipe for unfair profit-taking? And what about the proxy adviser's call to oust James Hardie's leadership – is this a necessary shake-up or an overreach? Share your opinions in the comments below; we'd love to hear differing views!
