FX.co ★ ASX 200 Finishes Flat Ahead of GDP Data

The ASX 200 closed virtually flat at 8,724 on Tuesday, paring earlier losses as strength in tech services, healthcare, and non-energy minerals countered weakness in retail trade, process industries, and financials. Investors positioned ahead of Australia’s Q1 GDP release on Wednesday, looking for guidance on the Reserve Bank’s policy trajectory before its meeting later this month.

Fresh data showed that Australian business inventories rebounded in Q1 after declining for the previous two quarters, while corporate profits retreated following robust growth in Q4. At the same time, the Q1 current account deficit widened to a record high, coming in weaker than expected.

Among the major lenders, the four big banks fell between 0.2% and 3.9%. Other notable decliners included PLS Group (-2.8%), Woodside Energy (-1.8%), and Aristocrat Leisure (-1.3%). On the upside, Northern Star Resources surged 13.6% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a stake exceeding AUD 1 billion and urged the company to undertake a strategic review.