{
  "id": 10879250,
  "title": "Australian shares edge higher, head for worst month in six; inflation data in focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/australian-shares-edge-higher-head-for-worst-month-in-six-inflation",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-30T06:21:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40441951/australian-shares-edge-higher-head-for-worst-month-in-six-inflation-data-in-focus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australian shares moved higher on Wednesday, but the market was set to record its worst monthly decline in six months as traders remained cautious before the release of domestic inflation data later in the day. The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.1% to 8,718.1 points as of 12:06 AM GMT. Nonetheless, the benchmark was on track for its worst month since March, as surging oil prices and higher bond yields once again raised doubts about whether inflation would stay high for an extended period. The anticipated August consumer price data is predicted to rise to 4.1% from 3.5%, driven in part by an increase in fuel costs. Core inflation is forecast to remain at 3.6%, significantly above the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2% to 3% target range. The economic data will be weighed against the backdrop of the cash rate, which had been set at a 15-year high on Tuesday and faced warnings of additional hikes if necessary to tame persistent inflation. However, market expectations suggest the central bank may remain at its current rate through November and December, with no further rate hikes anticipated this year. Gold miners experienced a surge of up to 3.2%, reaching their highest level in a week, following a rebound in gold prices after they hit a seven-week low. Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining climbed 8.4% and 1.6%, respectively. The broader mining index also increased by 0.6%. Conversely, banks declined 0.4%, with shares of Australia's \"big four\" banks falling between 0.6% and 0.8%. Energy stocks also declined 0.7%, continuing a downward trend for the fourth straight day, as oil prices softened. Notably, shares of Droneshield surged 11.5% to a one-month high of A$1.80. The counter-drone technology firm announced that its US unit had secured the US Department of War's Domestic Shield contract, enabling it to compete for and possibly win orders with a maximum value of $500 million. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index remained unchanged at 13,686.42 points.",
  "summary": "Australian shares edged up on Wednesday but were headed for their worst monthly decline in six months as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of domestic inflation data due later in the day. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.1% to 8,718.1 points as of 0006 GMT. However, the benchmark was on track for its worst month since March, as rising oil prices and higher bond yields reignited concerns that…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}