The Australian equity market pulled back from early gains during midday trading on Monday, extending prior-session advances after positive cues from Wall Street Friday. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index remained comfortably above the 8,000.00 level, with strength in technology, energy, and financial stocks partially offset by weakness in mining.
The S&P/ASX 200 rose 63.20 points, or 0.79 percent, to 8,031.40, having touched an intraday high of 8,051.80. The broader All Ordinaries Index added 62.30 points, or 0.76 percent, to 8,237.40. Australian stocks closed higher Thursday ahead of the Friday holiday.
Among major miners, BHP Group fell more than 1 percent and Mineral Resources declined nearly 2 percent, while Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals slipped 0.2 to 0.3 percent each.
Oil stocks advanced broadly, with Woodside Energy and Santos climbing roughly 2 percent apiece. Beach Energy rose 0.2 percent, and Origin Energy gained more than 1 percent.
In technology, Afterpay owner Block jumped nearly 3 percent, WiseTech Global added more than 1 percent, and Appen edged up 0.2 percent, while Zip and Xero each rose more than 2 percent.
Gold miners were mostly lower: Northern Star Resources fell nearly 1 percent, Evolution Mining dropped almost 3 percent, Newmont lost nearly 2 percent, and Gold Road Resources declined more than 3 percent, while Resolute Mining rose nearly 3 percent.
Among the big four banks, National Australia Bank and Westpac each gained almost 2 percent, ANZ Banking advanced more than 2 percent, and Commonwealth Bank was flat.
Brambles shares slipped nearly 6 percent after the company reduced its fiscal-year sales-growth forecast, citing an uncertain market outlook on consumer demand.
Ainsworth shares surged more than 32 percent after majority shareholder Novomatic announced plans to acquire all outstanding shares in the gaming-machine manufacturer in a deal valued at $336.8 million.
Telix shares dropped more than 5 percent after a U.S. regulator denied approval of its new drug application.
The Australian dollar traded at $0.639 on Monday.
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