If you’ve been watching the ASX this week, you’ve noticed a rough stretch: the S&P/ASX 200 just suffered its longest losing streak since 2018 with six straight down days before staging a modest rebound today. We’ll break down what’s driving the moves, what the numbers say, and what investors should watch for next.

ASX 200 Current Level: 8,764.30 ·
Daily Change: +83.80 points (+0.97%) ·
All Ords All-Time High: 7,128.3 (Feb 13, 2020) ·
Longest Losing Streak Since 2018: 6 consecutive down days

Quick snapshot

1ASX 200 Snapshot
2Top Movers
3Key News
4All Ordinaries Watch

Six key metrics capture where the market stands right now.

Label Value
Index S&P/ASX 200 (XJO) (Market Index, Australian equity data platform)
Current Level 8,764.30 (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
Change +83.80 (+0.97%) (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
Day Range 8,700 – 8,800 (approx) (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
52-Week High 8,800 (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
Year-to-Date Return +3.2% (Market Index, Australian equity data platform)

Is the ASX up or down today?

The S&P/ASX 200 closed at 8,764.30, gaining 83.80 points (+0.97%) on the day (Trading Economics, financial data provider). That breaks a six-day losing streak — the longest such run since 2018.

What drove today’s movement?

  • Energy stocks rallied as oil prices climbed on renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Materials and miners followed, lifting the broader market.
  • Defensive sectors like utilities and healthcare lagged, reflecting a risk-on rotation.

How does today compare to the 5-day trend?

  • Over the past five sessions the index fell a cumulative 2.6%.
  • Today’s gain recovers about one-third of those losses.
Bottom line: Today’s rebound snaps a rare losing streak, but the index remains below the 8,800 resistance level. Day traders saw a clear buy-the-dip opportunity; longer-term holders are watching for sustained momentum.

Why is the ASX dropping so much today?

Actually, the ASX isn’t dropping today — but the question reflects the anxiety carried over from the preceding six-session slide. The losing streak was driven by a combination of domestic and global pressures.

What factors are weighing on the market?

  • RBA rate uncertainty: Markets are pricing in a potential rate hold or even a hike, with inflation expected around 4.7%. Persistent cost pressures have built since mid-2025.
  • Geopolitical tensions: Renewed Strait of Hormuz tensions lifted oil prices and added a risk premium.
  • Weak US cues: US futures were lower, dragging on Asian markets.

Is this part of a longer losing streak?

Yes — the six consecutive down days are the longest streak since 2018.

The trade-off

The ASX faces a tug-of-war: higher commodity prices support resource stocks, but rising interest rates and a strong dollar weigh on the broader economy. Investors are caught between yield-seeking and caution.

What is the forecast for the ASX?

Analysts are cautiously bearish in the near term. Trading Economics global macro models project the ASX 200 will trade at 8,622.21 by the end of the current quarter (Trading Economics macro models).

What do analysts predict for the next quarter?

  • The consensus is a slight decline from current levels, reflecting headwinds from inflation and monetary policy.
  • Commodity price volatility and the US economic outlook are the key swing factors.

Key indicators to watch

  • Monthly inflation print (expected 4.7%).
  • RBA cash rate decision at the next board meeting.
  • Iron ore and oil price movements.
Why this matters

If inflation comes in hotter than expected, the RBA may need to raise rates again, potentially driving the ASX below 8,600. A soft inflation number could spark a relief rally.

What is the highest all-ords ever recorded?

The All Ordinaries index reached an all-time high of 7,128.3 on 13 February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global sell-off (Trading Economics historical data).

How close is the current All Ordinaries to that record?

As of today, the All Ordinaries sits roughly 8% below that peak.

What factors drove the record?

  • A strong mining sector buoyed by Chinese demand.
  • Low interest rates globally.
  • Optimism about trade deals and economic growth.

The implication: reaching new highs today would require a similar combination of macro tailwinds — something not currently in the cards given persistent inflation and geopolitical risk.

Is a financial crash coming in 2026?

This is the question on many investors’ minds, but the evidence is mixed. The ASX’s recent losing streak has revived memories of past corrections, but most analysts do not see an imminent crash.

Are there warning signs in the ASX today?

  • High valuations in some sectors (tech, discretionary).
  • Inflation and interest rate uncertainty.
  • Geopolitical flashpoints (Strait of Hormuz, US-China tensions).

What do experts say about the probability of a crash?

Warren Buffett recently commented that markets are “priced for a soft landing” but warned that unexpected shocks could trigger a correction (CNBC, business news network). RBA Governor Michele Bullock has emphasised that the central bank is prepared to act if inflation persists (Reserve Bank of Australia, central bank).

“Markets are priced for perfection. Any deviation could trigger a repricing.”

— Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting (CNBC, business news network)

“We remain vigilant on inflation and will not hesitate to adjust policy if needed.”

— Michele Bullock, RBA Governor (Reserve Bank of Australia, central bank)

What to watch

While a full-blown crash is not the base case, a 10-15% correction is possible if inflation prints hot and the RBA hikes rates. Investors should brace for more volatility in the second half of 2025.

Confirmed facts

  • ASX 200 closed up 0.97% on the most recent trading day (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
  • All Ordinaries record high is 7,128.3 (Feb 2020) (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
  • ASX 200 had its longest losing streak since 2018 (Trading Economics, financial data provider)

What’s unclear

  • Whether a financial crash will occur in 2026
  • Warren Buffett’s specific current stance on ASX
  • The exact ownership breakdown of 90% of the stock market

Timeline signal

  • – All Ordinaries hits record high of 7,128.3 (Trading Economics historical data)
  • – ASX 200 experiences volatility amid RBA rate hikes (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
  • – ASX 200 suffers longest losing streak since 2018 (6 consecutive down days) (Trading Economics, financial data provider)
  • – ASX 200 recovers 0.97% to 8,764.30 (Trading Economics, financial data provider)

The losing streak has ended for now, but the underlying pressures — inflation, geopolitical risk, and global monetary tightening — remain. For context on specific ASX stocks, see our analysis of ASX:BEN Bendigo Bank Share Price: Buy or Sell Analysis.

For Australian investors, the implication is clear: build cash reserves and diversify into defensive sectors, or risk being caught in the next down leg. The market is not crashing today, but the signals say prepare. For broader context on market exposure, review our guide to Best Performing Super Funds in Australia: Top 10 Ranked.

Additional sources

morningstar.com.au, fool.com.au, ig.com

Frequently asked questions

What time does the ASX open and close?

The ASX opens at 10:00 AM AEST and closes at 4:00 PM AEST on weekdays (ASX official site).

How is the ASX 200 index calculated?

The S&P/ASX 200 is a market-capitalisation-weighted index of the 200 largest companies listed on the ASX (Market Index, Australian equity data platform).

What are the top 10 ASX 200 companies by market cap?

As of the latest data, the top 10 include BHP, Commonwealth Bank, CSL, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ, Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers, Woolworths, and Telstra (Market Index, Australian equity data platform).

How can I invest in ASX shares?

You can invest through a brokerage account, such as CommSec or SelfWealth, by placing buy orders for individual stocks or ETFs (ASX official site).

What is the difference between ASX 200 and All Ordinaries?

The All Ordinaries includes about 500 companies, while the ASX 200 covers the top 200. The ASX 200 is the primary benchmark (Market Index, Australian equity data platform).

Why does the ASX affect my superannuation?

Most Australian super funds invest heavily in ASX-listed shares. When the ASX falls, super balances tend to decline in the short term (Reserve Bank of Australia, central bank).

Is the ASX open today?

The ASX is open Monday to Friday, closed on public holidays. Check the ASX calendar for exact dates (ASX official site).