The local share market ended a three-day winning streak, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 0.23% to 7,999.3, and the All Ordinaries down by the same percentage to 8,243.3.
Weakness in the mining sector, particularly from BHP and Rio Tinto, contributed to the drop. Despite this, the ASX200 posted its second-highest close.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish comments raised expectations of multiple U.S. interest rate cuts in 2024. Consumer confidence remains low, according to the ANZ-Roy Morgan survey.
The materials sector led losses, while other sectors like consumer staples were flat, and some stocks like Electro Optical Systems saw gains following positive revenue reports.
Mixed performance was noted among the Big Four banks, and Droneshield’s stock plummeted 22.3% after a significant prior increase. The Australian dollar dipped to 67.42 US cents.