---
title: "Australian Equities Extend Slide as Week Opens"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286694741.md"
description: "Australian stocks fell 1.0% to 8,547, marking their lowest level since early April. The decline follows a slump on Wall Street and rising tensions in the Middle East. Key data releases from China and Australia are anticipated this week. Major decliners included BHP Group (-2.6%) and Goodman Group (-2.7%), while Brambles Ltd. dropped 14.9% after lowering its profit growth target."
datetime: "2026-05-18T01:08:41.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286694741.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286694741.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286694741.md)
---

# Australian Equities Extend Slide as Week Opens

Australian stocks dipped 84 points or 1.0% to 8,547 in early deals on Monday, marking the second session of losses and notching their lowest level since early April.

A slump on Wall Street Friday weighed on sentiment amid rising fears of further escalation in the Middle East following President Trump's warning on Iran.

Caution also grew as top trading partner China will release April activity data later today, including industrial output and retail sales.

Locally, Australia's flash PMI readings for May will be due later this week, along with the RBA minutes and April labor market data.

Transport, communications, process industries, and consumers drove the decline, while healthcare, consumer services, and energy minerals helped limit losses.

Among major decliners were BHP Group (-2.6%), Goodman Group (-2.7%), and Northern Star Resources (-4.1%).

Brambles Ltd. tumbled 14.9% after cutting its underlying profit growth target due to earnings impact from repair capacity constraints.

### Related Stocks

- [GMG.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GMG.AU.md)
- [BXB.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BXB.AU.md)
- [BHP.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BHP.AU.md)
- [BHP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BHP.US.md)
- [BHP.UK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BHP.UK.md)
- [NST.AU](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NST.AU.md)
- [BXBLY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BXBLY.US.md)
- [BHPLF.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BHPLF.US.md)

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