ASX 200 Live: August 17, 2026
Welcome to the live coverage of the ASX 200 on Monday, August 17, 2026. We'll be bringing you the latest updates and insights throughout the day, with a focus on the key earnings reports and market movements.
Key Earnings Reports
Aurizon
- Revenue: Up 6% to $4.19 billion (vs. $4.16 billion ests)
- EBITDA: Up 9% to $1.72 billion (vs. $1.72 billion ests)
- Underlying NPAT: Up 24% to $433 million (vs. $429 million ests)
- Statutory NPAT: Up 19% to $362 million
- Full-year DPS: Up 46% to 23.0 cents (vs. 22.5 cents ests)
Aurizon's earnings and cash generation were driven by higher regulated revenue and a record Bulk performance. The company also completed a buy-back and increased its payout.
Aurizon (AZJ)
- Long-standing partnership with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance renewed for up to 12 years, potentially running to 2040
- Performance-based contract for up to 37 million tonnes per annum
Aurizon has recontracted its major BMA coal haulage deal in Queensland, securing a long-term partnership with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance.
IMDEX
- Revenue: Up 21% to $520 million (vs. $519 million ests)
- Normalised EBITDA: Up 29% to $163 million (vs. $159.8 million ests)
- Normalised NPAT: Up 37% to $59 million (vs. $58.3 million ests)
- Full-year dividend: 3.44 cents (fully franked)
IMDEX posted record earnings as margins expanded and market share gains continued. The company expects continued growth in FY27.
GWA Group
- Revenue: Up 0.9% to $422.3 million
- Normalised EBIT: Up 2.5% to $78.2 million
- Normalised NPAT: Up 4.9% to $48.8 million
- Full-year payout: 16.5 cents (up 6.5%)
GWA Group lifted profits and dividends on volume growth across all markets, driven by operational discipline.
BlueScope
- Underlying EBIT: $1.27 billion (vs. $1.264 billion UBS ests)
- Reported NPAT: Up 857% to $802 million
- Full-year guidance: 1H27 EBIT of $860-960 million (vs. $923 million ests)
BlueScope's earnings surged due to stronger US steel spreads and a record Southeast Asia result.
Macmahon
- Partial sale of Homeground village to Allcap Securities for up to 50% of the asset's $52 million book value
- Retains 80% initially and ongoing exposure to Homeground's performance
Macmahon has agreed to a partial sale of its Gladstone workforce accommodation asset, realizing value while retaining exposure to its future performance.
GPT Group
- FFO: $338.8 million (17.7 cents)
- 1H26 distribution: 12.25 cents (in line)
- Investment portfolio NPI growth: 5.8% (office up 8.0%, retail up 4.6%, logistics up 4.0%)
GPT Group lifted management earnings as portfolio NPI growth remained strong.
a2 Milk
- FY27 revenue guidance: Mid single-digit growth ($2,035-2,075 million vs. $2,133 million ests)
- EBITDA margin guidance: Around 15% ($305-311 million vs. $341 million ests)
- Total FY26 dividend: 21.0 cents (unimputed and fully franked)
a2 Milk delivered double-digit revenue growth despite a 4Q China supply hit, with a focus on executing a recovery plan in FY27.
US Economic Measures
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent flags unprecedented economic measures against Iran
- Covert oil shuttling through Hormuz running above 4 million barrels a day
The US is preparing 'economic isolation' plans for Iran, with potential secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil.
S&P 500
- Q2 earnings growth: Up 31% year-on-year (vs. 23% projected)
- Net income margins: Approaching 16% (up from 14%)
- Full-year profit growth estimates: Lifted to 27% (from 15%)
The S&P 500 earnings blew past expectations in Q2, driven by tech and AI productivity gains.
Copper Squeeze
- LME spread hits highest since 2021
- Spot copper premium: Up to $370 over September futures
The copper squeeze deepened as LME stockpiles continued to drain.
Hedge Funds and Yen
- Yen shorts down 6.5% to 59,526 contracts
- Yen weakened about 1% to 159.35
Hedge funds have more than halved their yen short position after the US-Japan intervention.
Options Buying
- Demand for upside calls outstrips flat-market options for at least 170 S&P 500 stocks
- Institutions buying bullish calls as 'FOMO insurance'
Investors are chasing upside calls as the S&P 500 rallies, with institutions buying 'FOMO insurance'.
Berkshire Hathaway
- Added 17.5 million Delta shares and 48.1 million Alphabet shares
- Cash fell to $365.5 billion at midyear
Berkshire Hathaway lifted stakes in Delta and Alphabet, trimming its record cash hoard.
