Today: 22 March 2026
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ASX:ANN 8 January 2026

Australia stock market today: ASX 200 closes higher as tech rebounds; BlueScope pushes back on $13.2b bid

Australia stock market today: ASX 200 closes higher as tech rebounds; BlueScope pushes back on $13.2b bid

The S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.29% at 8,720.8, led by gains in tech and healthcare, while miners fell. BlueScope rejected a A$13.2 billion takeover bid from SGH and Steel Dynamics. Ansell shares dropped 6.2% as CEO Neil Salmon announced his retirement, with Nathalie Ahlström set to take over in February. The Australian dollar slipped to about 67 U.S. cents.

Stock Market Today

  • Ford Launches Ford Pro AI and V2H Pilot to Expand Digital and Energy Revenue Streams
    March 21, 2026, 11:28 PM EDT. Ford Motor (NYSE:F) introduced Ford Pro AI, a connected fleet management software targeting commercial customers, and launched a vehicle-to-home (V2H) energy pilot with Puget Sound Energy and ChargeScape. Using EVs like the F-150 Lightning, the V2H project tests supplying backup power to homes, highlighting Ford's push into software and energy services. These initiatives aim to create recurring revenue beyond traditional manufacturing, aligning with trends among automakers such as GM, Stellantis, and Tesla. Ford Pro AI helps commercial fleets optimize operations by analyzing vehicle data to reduce downtime. The company's stock trades at $11.52, with a 21.1% one-year and 24.8% five-year return, reflecting investor confidence in its strategic shift toward connected technologies and grid integration. However, execution risks remain as Ford invests heavily in these areas amid industry competition and regulatory pressures.
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