ASX 200 - RBA afternoon report 11 August 2026 

The ASX 200 trades 30 points (+0.33%) higher at 9263 at 3.45pm AEST.

ASX 200 holds near record high as RBA keeps rates on hold

The ASX 200 is set to consolidate its strong start to August, just below its 9296.7 record high following a second consecutive 'on-hold' decision by the RBA, which left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35%.

The Board again stressed that inflation is still too high, noting that while the impact of the Middle East conflict has so far been less than expected, headline inflation remains elevated and trimmed mean inflation is little changed from the March quarter. It also noted that some firms are continuing to pass on cost pressures and that short-term inflation expectations, while easing, remain higher than earlier in the year.

The statement points to a modest cooling in domestic conditions. Consumer spending growth is slowing gradually; housing prices are falling in some capital cities and new housing loans have declined noticeably. Labour market conditions have also eased by a little more than expected, although leading indicators suggest only limited further softening in the near term.

Compared with the June statement, the language remains cautious and retains a clear hawkish bias, though it places a little more weight on signs that the economy is beginning to slow as higher rates begin to bite. Markets will closely watch incoming data in the weeks ahead to assess the odds of a hike at the next RBA Board meeting on 29 September.

ASX 200 stocks

Energy sector

Returning to the price action, the energy sector was the strongest performer after WTI crude oil finished higher overnight at $82.30 (+6.77%), extending its rebound from last week's $74.24 low. 

• Karoon Energy surged 6.69% to $1.76
• Amplitude Energy jumped 6.46% to $1.56 
• Beach Energy rose 5.45% to $0.87.

Financial sector

The big banks traded lower ahead of CBA's fiscal year 2026 (FY26) earnings results due tomorrow morning previewed here. 

ANZ fell 0.97% to $36.72

NAB lost 0.32% to $41.08 

CBA edged 0.23% lower to $173.85.

Healthcare sector

The healthcare sector extended its phoenix-like recovery and is now up almost 32% from its early June low. 

• ResMed climbed 4.00% to $31.29
• Pro Medicus lifted 3.08% to $182.02 
• CSL added 2.75% to $138.16.

Materials sector

The heavyweight materials sector is on track for an eighth straight session of gains and after a ~15% pullback from the June highs, it is now less than 2% from its record high. 

• Capstone Copper lifted 3.60% to $16.11
• Alcoa added 2.53% to $73.34 
• Mineral Resources gained 1.62% to $65.87

Gold stocks enjoyed a second solid session as bullion finished higher overnight at $4390 (+1.11%), its highest daily close in almost ten weeks. 

• Newmont jumped 4.56% to $166.79
• Genesis Minerals lifted 3.57% to $7.59 
• Emerald Resources added 2.92% to $6.69. 

Technology sector

• Life360 shares dived 17.5% to $24.32 after its second quarter (Q2) results showed net income falling 28% to US$5.1 million despite strong top-line growth. Revenue rose 38% to a record US$159 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) jumped 53%, but investors focused on the softer full-year outlook and uncertainty around re-accelerating monthly active user growth.  
• Austal jumped 18.10% to $4.54 after receiving a non-binding offer from South Korea’s Hanwha Group to acquire its US operations for up to US$1.2 billion.

Communication services

• Southern Cross Media's share price was largely unchanged at $0.54 after reporting a challenging first full-year result as a merged group, with revenue down 4.5% to $1.87 billion and underlying NPAT falling around 58% to $9.9 million, though underlying EBITDA of $191.9 million finished above revised guidance.

ASX 200 technical analysis 

The ASX 200 spent the better part of 17 weeks confined within an 8500 – 9000 range before releasing that pent-up energy last week. Providing the index remains above the top of its former range at 9000, which now becomes support, the ASX 200 has scope to continue higher towards 9350.

However, with reporting season picking up speed and with more bombs than beats expected, we would not be at all surprised if we were to see a retest of the 9000 support in the coming weeks.

ASX 200 daily chart

• _{Source: TradingView. The figures stated are as of 11 August 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation.}