ASX 200 Live: August 17, 2026
The ASX 200 is set to open lower, with futures down 33 points (-0.36%) as of 8:36 am. Here's a breakdown of the key developments from overnight and the latest news on ASX-listed companies:
Market Overview
- US Benchmarks: Most US benchmarks eased from Thursday's record close, with the S&P 500 still notching a third consecutive weekly advance. The S&P 500 (-0.17%), Nasdaq (-0.28%), Dow (-0.20%), and Russell 2000 (+0.51%) all saw slight changes.
- Oil: Oil prices pushed higher after Washington threatened economic measures against Iran and signaled a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
- AI Credit: Broadcom led a wobble in AI credit after Bank of America flagged the scale of debt behind its off-balance-sheet chip financing vehicle.
Company Highlights
Aurizon
- Dividend Boost: Aurizon's FY26 dividend jumps 46% to 23.0 cents, up from 22.5 cents, with a final 10.5 cents fully franked.
- Bulk Performance: Higher regulated revenue and a record Bulk performance drove earnings and cash generation.
- Recontracted Deal: Aurizon renewed its partnership with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance for metallurgical coal haulage in Queensland, with a new performance-based contract for up to 37 million tonnes per annum.
IMDEX
- Record FY26: IMDEX posts a record FY26 with revenue growth outpacing a soft exploration market, and earnings leverage lifting normalised margins.
- Dividend: Full-year dividend of 3.44 cents, fully franked, with 1.75 cents final.
GWA
- Profit and Dividend Lift: GWA lifts profit and dividend on volume growth across all markets, with a fully franked final dividend of 8.5 cents.
BlueScope
- Earnings Surge: BlueScope's FY26 earnings surge due to stronger US steel spreads and a record Southeast Asia result.
- Dividend: Final ordinary dividend of 65 cents plus 70 cents special (both unfranked).
Macmahon
- Asset Sale: Macmahon sells down its Homeground village in a $20 billion Gladstone infrastructure play, retaining 80% initially and ongoing exposure.
GPT
- Management Earnings: GPT lifts management earnings as portfolio NPI growth stays strong, with full-year guidance reaffirmed.
a2 Milk
- Double-Digit Revenue Growth: a2 Milk delivers double-digit revenue growth despite a 4Q China supply hit, with a total FY26 dividend lift to 21.0 cents.
- China Setback: The company is focused on executing its recovery plan after a setback in China.
US Economic Measures
- Economic Isolation Plan: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has flagged unprecedented economic measures against Iran, keeping oil-market risk elevated.
S&P 500 Earnings
- Earnings Blow Past Expectations: S&P 500 earnings up 31% in Q2 year-on-year, the best growth outside recession recoveries since 1992.
Copper Squeeze
- Deepening Squeeze: The copper squeeze deepens as the LME spread hits its highest since 2021.
Hedge Funds and Yen
- Yen Short Position: Hedge funds have more than halved their yen short position since the coordinated intervention.
Options Buying
- FOMO Insurance: Demand for upside calls has outstripped demand for flat-market options, with institutions buying bullish calls as 'FOMO insurance'.
Berkshire Hathaway
- Equity Buying: Berkshire Hathaway lifts Delta and Alphabet stakes, trimming its record cash hoard.
