Australian Securities Exchange Weekly Wrap: ASX 200 Sheds A$130 Billion as Middle East War and Rate Risks Rattle Stocks
Australian shares lost 3.8% last week, erasing about A$130 billion in value as the Middle East conflict rattled markets. Miners fell 4.1%, gold miners 4.3%, while energy stocks rose 0.2% on surging oil prices. The Reserve Bank of Australia signaled a “live meeting” for March 17 as inflation risks mount. Economic growth beat forecasts, rising 0.8% in Q4.