ASX Closes Lower as Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.3%
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) closed lower on April 15, 2026, following the release of labor force data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent in seasonally adjusted terms for March. Despite the steady jobless rate, economists anticipate a potential interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia in May. In corporate news, Viva Energy entered a trading halt after a significant fire, caused by equipment failure, broke out at its Geelong oil refinery. Meanwhile, consumer behavior shifts were noted by NAB, which reported a 14 percent weekly drop in fuel spending after the excise tax was halved on April 1. However, overall fuel spending remained elevated compared to February levels, and households were observed stockpiling non-perishable food items ahead of the Easter long weekend. The ACOSS expressed concern over potential job losses, urging federal budget support. Global markets showed mixed results, with US indices rising while European markets declined.
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ASX Closes Lower as Unemployment Holds Steady at 4.3%
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) closed lower on April 15, 2026, following the release of labor force data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent in seasonally adjusted terms for March. Despite the steady jobless rate, economists anticipate a potential interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia in May. In corporate news, Viva Energy entered a trading halt after a significant fire, caused by equipment failure, broke out at its Geelong oil refinery. Meanwhile, consumer behavior shifts were noted by NAB, which reported a 14 percent weekly drop in fuel spending after the excise tax was halved on April 1. However, overall fuel spending remained elevated compared to February levels, and households were observed stockpiling non-perishable food items ahead of the Easter long weekend. The ACOSS expressed concern over potential job losses, urging federal budget support. Global markets showed mixed results, with US indices rising while European markets declined.
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