S&P/ ASX 200 closes 0.09 percent lower as banks and miners weigh

The S&P/ASX 200 closed at 8,727.7 points on October 7, 2026, down 0.09 percent, as losses in banks and mining stocks offset gains across healthcare, energy and gold stocks, according to Investing.com.

Banks and miners weigh on the index

Financial and materials stocks led the declines. Westpac fell 1.21 percent, Commonwealth Bank dropped 1.32 percent and National Australia Bank lost 0.78 percent, while BHP declined by less than 1 percent and Fortescue fell 2.5 percent, according to AAP via Corowa Free Press.

Healthcare, energy and real estate were among the sectors that initially supported the market before banking and mining losses pulled the benchmark lower, CommBank reported. Northern Star Resources rose 3.18 percent and Telix Pharmaceuticals gained 3.24 percent, while Sims fell 5.19 percent, according to Investing.com.

Market environment and next session

The S&P/ASX 200 VIX rose 0.15 percent to 10.87. The Australian dollar traded at 69.71 US cents, up from 69.69 US cents at Tuesday's 5:00 p.m. AEST close, according to CommBank.

The Federal Reserve is scheduled to publish minutes from its September meeting at 2:00 p.m. ET on October 7, according to Schwab Network. The minutes will be released before the next S&P/ASX 200 session on October 8.

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