The ASX Today: Energy lifts Aussie market as Vault surges on $5.6bn takeover bid

Good afternoon and welcome to The ASX Today, I’m Seja Al Zaidi. The ASX 200 didn’t change all that much today, edging slightly higher as gains in energy and technology offset weakness in the major banks.

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Markets are now turning their attention to reporting season, while investors await minutes from the first U.S. Federal Reserve meeting under new chair Kevin Warsh for clues on the path of interest rates. Energy was the strongest sector, with Santos up 2.3 per cent, Beach Energy gaining 1.5 per cent and Woodside adding 1.3 per cent as Brent crude held around US$72 a barrel.

Technology also outperformed through Monday intraday: WiseTech rallied 5.3 per cent, NextDC gained 2.4 per cent, and Xero rose 1 per cent.

The banks weighed on the market, with Westpac, CBA, and ANZ all lower. NAB bucked the trend with a modest gain. Staples were also weaker, with Coles, Woolworths, and Endeavour Group all slipping.

In mining, Vault Minerals surged almost 13 percent after receiving a $5.6 billion takeover proposal from Genesis, topping a rival offer from Regis Resources. Genesis eased on the news, while Regis was also higher.

Elsewhere, Helia secured a new four-year mortgage insurance agreement with ING, and Greatland rose 1.9 per cent after producing 329,000 ounces of gold in FY26; around 6 per cent above guidance. Worley +1.3 per cent on winning a five-year project management contract with Saudi Aramco, and Dexus up around 1.1 per cent after reporting broadly flat property valuations.

On the economic front, ANZ-Indeed job ads were broadly flat in June, suggesting labour demand remains resilient despite expectations the market will soften.

That’s The ASX Today, I’ll see you tomorrow.

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