The Australian share market closed slightly lower on Thursday as investors locked in gains from the previous session and awaited further clarity on a potential trade agreement between the European Union and the United States.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index was down 27.8 points or 0.3%, to 8,709.4, with ten of the 11 sectors trading in the red.
Real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) led the decline, with Goodman Group, Charter Hall, and Mirvac Group declining by 0.8%, 1.8%, and 1.3%, respectively.
Industrials also retreated as Brambles fell 1.5%, Computershare shed 3.3%, and Reece lost 1.3%.
Financial stocks were a key drag, with Macquarie sliding 5.1% revealing that its net profit declined in the first quarter of the 2026 financial year.
Gold miners also weighed on the index as spot prices for the precious metal eased to US$3447 an ounce, retreating from Wednesday’s levels amid improved global trade sentiment.
Northern Star Resources slipped 2.4%, and Evolution Mining lost 2.7%.
In contrast, healthcare stocks advanced. CSL rose 1.5%, ResMed gained 0.4%, and Sonic Healthcare lifted 1.3%.
Automotive parts supplier Bapcor plunged 28.4% after revealing weaker-than-expected trading in May and June. The company also flagged $50 million in post-tax writedowns and the exit of three board members.
Fortescue Metals gained 4.2% after announcing record iron ore shipments for the year to June. The miner forecast continued growth over the next 12 months, supported by lower production costs, although challenges remain at its Iron Bridge magnetite project.
Lynas Rare Earths also rose 5% as investors digested its quarterly report. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean firm JS Link for a potential manufacturing and supply partnership focused on permanent magnets.
Karoon Energy dropped 2.8% after reporting a 24.9% year-on-year decline in revenue for the June quarter, despite higher production levels.
On the bond markets, yields climbed, with the 10-year Australian government bond up 0.9% to 4.365%, and the 2-year yield rising 1.1% to 3.398%.
