S&P/ASX 200 reached a new all-time high, rising 0.51%
IT, Consumer Staples, and Telecoms sectors led market gains
Megaport Ltd was the top performer with a 13.58% increase
Market breadth showed positive sentiment with more rising stocks than declining ones
📖 Full Retelling
Australian stocks closed higher in Sydney on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with the S&P/ASX 200 index rising 0.51% to a new all-time high, driven by gains in the IT, Consumer Staples, and Telecoms Services sectors. The benchmark index's performance reflected positive market sentiment across multiple sectors, with technology companies particularly benefiting from broader market optimism. Leading the charge was Megaport Ltd, which surged 13.58% to reach 9.20 Australian dollars, while Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd added 11.09% to end at 10.22 and Ramsay Health Care Ltd climbed 10.09% to 42.02, hitting a 52-week high in the process. On the downside, Worley Ltd fell 9.89% to 11.75, Yancoal Australia Ltd declined 8.77% to 5.62, and Qantas Airways Ltd dropped 8.45% to 9.75. Market breadth showed positive sentiment with 619 rising stocks outnumbering 573 declining ones, while 363 stocks remained unchanged. The broader market context included a slight decrease in the VIX index to 11.56, modest movements in commodity prices with gold futures down slightly and crude oil contracts rising, and relatively stable currency markets with the AUD/USD pair unchanged at 0.71.
🏷️ Themes
Market Performance, Sector Analysis, Global Market Context
Australian Securities Exchange Ltd (ASX) is an Australian public company that operates Australia's primary securities exchange, the Australian Securities Exchange (sometimes referred to outside of Australia, or confused within Australia, as the Sydney Stock Exchange, which is a separate entity). The...
A technology company (or tech company) is a company that focuses primarily on the manufacturing, support, research and development of—most commonly computing, telecommunication and consumer electronics–based—technology-intensive products and services, which include businesses relating to digital ele...
try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Nasdaq ends more than 1% higher as Nvidia rises pre-earnings, tech extends rebound Gold prices head for fifth day of gains in six; JPMorgan sees more upside Nvidia set to report strong results and guidance, analysts say Analysis-Nvidia’s CEO prepares investors for a renewed battle with Intel, AMD (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Australia stocks higher at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 up 0.51% By Investing.com Stock Markets Published 02/26/2026, 12:30 AM Updated 02/26/2026, 12:30 AM Australia stocks higher at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 up 0.51% 0 Investing.com – Australia stocks were higher after the close on Thursday, as gains in the IT , Consumer Staples and Telecoms Services sectors led shares higher. At the close in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.51% to hit a new all time high. The best performers of the session on the S&P/ASX 200 were Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1 ), which rose 13.58% or 1.10 points to trade at 9.20 at the close. Meanwhile, Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX ) added 11.09% or 1.02 points to end at 10.22 and Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC ) was up 10.09% or 3.85 points to 42.02 in late trade. The worst performers of the session were Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR ), which fell 9.89% or 1.29 points to trade at 11.75 at the close. Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL ) declined 8.77% or 0.54 points to end at 5.62 and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN ) was down 8.45% or 0.90 points to 9.75. Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the Sydney Stock Exchange by 619 to 573 and 363 ended unchanged. Shares in Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC ) rose to 52-week highs; up 10.09% or 3.85 to 42.02. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX , which measures the implied volatility of S&P/ASX 200 options, was down 1.13% to 11.56. Gold Futures for April delivery was down 0.19% or 10.10 to $5,216.10 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in April rose 0.34% or 0.22 to hit $65.64 a barrel, while the May Brent oil co...