BHP, CSL gains help Australian shares snap four-day losing streak

Business Recorder reported a slight rise in Australian equities on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.1% at 9,078.90 points by 0040 GMT. The advance would break a run of four straight daily declines, after the benchmark slid 0.5% on Monday. BHP led the gains, peaking 4.2% higher after the miner beat annual profit estimates and declared its largest total payout in four years.

Healthcare shares surged as much as 7.6%, setting up the sector's strongest session in more than six years. Biotech firm CSL rose more than 18%, after forecasting robust growth for 2027 driven by its core plasma division. Banks held the index back, sliding roughly 1.3% and heading toward a third consecutive day of losses.

The big four lenders, which together account for most of Australia's A$2.4 trillion mortgage market, saw home-loan applications fall by double digits after tax changes in May. Commonwealth Bank and NAB both put the fall at 15% earlier this month. Energy shares added 0.6% as oil prices rose on supply worries, with Woodside Energy and Santos each up around 0.3%. Sentiment stayed subdued as progress on US-Iran peace talks and oil-tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz stalled.