23.02.202600:43:37UTC+00Australian Shares Start the Week Lower

The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.2% to around 9,060 in early Monday trade, extending losses from the previous session as investors turned cautious amid renewed uncertainty over US tariffs. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said global tariffs would be lifted to 15% from 10%, even after the Supreme Court struck down a large portion of his earlier trade measures.

Among heavyweight miners, performance was mixed: Rio Tinto fell 2.3%, while BHP Group gained 0.9%. Energy stocks mostly dragged on the index as oil prices declined, with Woodside Energy and Santos down 1.5% and 3.8%, respectively. Healthcare and technology shares also traded lower.

In contrast, gold miners led the gains as bullion prices rose, supported by safe-haven demand amid the renewed tariff concerns. Sector leaders Newmont, Northern Star, and Evolution Mining advanced between 1.7% and 2.6%. Major lenders Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank also firmed, adding 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively.