ASX 200 Extends Losses as Selling Pressure Intensifies (2:59 pm AEDT)
The S&P/ASX 200 has deepened its decline, dropping 22.70 points (0.29%) to 7,837.70 as of 2:59 pm AEDT on 19 March. While the index remains up 0.66% over the past five days, it has fallen 3.94% year-to-date.
Helia and Mineral Resources Lead Declines
Helia Group (ASX: HLI) remains the worst performer, sliding 15.75%. Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) follows closely, down 5.99% as selling pressure continues across the market.
ASX 200: Update as of 2:16 pm
The S&P/ASX 200 fell further by 8.10 points (0.10%) to 7,852.30 as of 2:16 pm AEDT on 19 March. The index remains up 0.85% over the past five days but is down 3.76% year-to-date.
Biggest Decliners: Helia and Mineral Resources Lead Losses
Helia Group (ASX: HLI) continues its sharp decline, down 15.40%. Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) also extended losses, now dropping 6.07%.
Sector Performance: Seven Sectors in Red
Four sectors managed to stay in positive territory, led by:
- Health Care up 49%
- Energy up 35%
- Telecommunication up 02%
- Materials unchanged at 00%
However, seven sectors declined:
- Financials down 02%
- Information Technology down 06%
- Consumer Discretionary down 16%
- Consumer Staples down 53%
- Industrials down 57%
- Real Estate down 74%
- Utilities hit the hardest, down 31%
Market Sentiment Remains Weak
With more sectors in decline, market sentiment remains fragile. Investors are closely watching sector trends and corporate movements for further direction.
ASX 200: Update as of 1:22 pm AEDT
The S&P/U 200 slipped 3.60 points to 7,856.80 by 1:22 pm AEDT on 19 March. Despite the dip, the index has gained 0.91% over the past five days but remains down 3.71% year-to-date.
Biggest Gainers: Codan and QBE Insurance Lead
Several stocks posted solid gains. Codan Limited (U: CDA) rose 5.83% to $15.165, while QBE Insurance Group (U: QBE) climbed 4.41% to $22.000. JB Hi-Fi (U: JBH) also performed well, gaining 3.87% to $88.950.
Other notable risers include:
- Liontown Resources (U: LTR) up 47% to $0.745
- New Hope Corporation (U: NHC) up 10% to $4.155
Biggest Losers: Helia Group and Mineral Resources Slump
Helia Group (U: HLI) led the losses, plunging 15.40% to $4.780. Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) followed, dropping 7.64% to $22.960.
Other significant declines include:
- Lifestyle Communities (U: LIC) down 43% to $8.190
- Coronado Global Resources (U: CRN) down 05% to $0.470
- Capricorn Metals (U: CMM) down 78% to $7.970
Unusual Trading Volumes
Capricorn Metals (U: CMM) saw a 3,286% surge in volume, with 19.39 million shares traded. Medibank Private (U: MPL) followed, recording a 584% increase with 23.61 million shares exchanged.
Other volume outliers include:
- ALS Limited (U: ALQ) up 224% with 34 million shares
- New Hope Corporation (U: NHC) up 187% with 70 million shares
- Ramelius Resources (U: RMS) up 181% with 61 million shares
Sector Performance: Health Care and Energy Gain, Utilities Decline
Five sectors advanced, while six declined. Health care led gains, rising 0.25%, followed by energy, up 0.23%. Financials edged up 0.05%, and materials inched 0.01% higher.
On the downside, utilities dropped the most, falling 1.05%. Consumer staples lost 0.63%, and industrials declined 0.51%. Real estate, telecommunication, and discretionary sectors also saw slight losses.
Market Outlook
The U 200 remains volatile, with mixed performances across sectors. Investors are watching economic trends and corporate earnings for direction.
Note :- ASX=U
