30.09.202606:57:36UTC+00ASX 200 Extends Quarterly Gains Despite Monthly Setback

The ASX 200 climbed 80 points, or 0.9%, to finish at 8,789 on Wednesday, marking a third straight session of gains. Sentiment was buoyed by stronger U.S. futures ahead of the release of the PCE price index— the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge—later today, as well as key U.S. jobs data due Friday.

On the domestic front, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock reportedly indicated that a potential rate increase in September could be the last in the current cycle, a signal traders interpreted as dovish. At the same time, annual inflation eased to 4% in August, slightly below expectations of 4.1%, while trimmed mean CPI was unchanged at 3.6%.

All sectors advanced, with notable strength in technology, transport and logistics, and consumer durables. Leading individual performers included Goodman Group (up 4.0%), Wesfarmers (3.6%), Brambles (2.4%), and Northern Star Resources (6.5%). The major banks were comparatively subdued.

Despite the latest gains, the index lost 3.2% over September, ending a five-month winning streak as housing and fuel costs, persistent inflation, and higher borrowing rates weighed on the market. Even so, the benchmark still posted a second consecutive quarterly advance, edging up 0.12%.